Ways to Prevent Heatstroke
Summer days are a lot of fun but the summer sun can reach some pretty high temperatures. Extreme heat can be dangerous and cause serious health issues such as heat stroke. Follow our summer heat safety tips to help protect yourself and your family so that you can enjoy the sunshine.
Heatstroke can happen when you’ve been exposed to high temperatures for a long time or are physically active in extreme heat. It can cause your core body temperature to reach 104 degrees or greater. Serious cases can cause organ damage and even death.
Signs of Heatstroke
- A body temperature of 104 F or higher
- Confusion, slurred speech, or even seizures
- Skin turning red
- Rapid breathing
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Racing heart
Tips to Keep Your Family Cool
- Limit sun exposure during the hottest parts of the day.
- If you plan to work outside, do it in the early mornings or evenings. The days are longer in the sun so you will have more time than usual in the evening.
- Drink plenty of water and eat a well-balanced diet.
- Dress in lightweight clothes if you are playing a sport or are outside for a period of time.
- Make sure pets have plenty of water at all times outside.
- Older adults and young children are most likely to suffer from heatstroke so be sure to keep a close eye on them.
- Under no circumstance should you ever leave children or pets in closed vehicles
If you or someone you are with suffer from heatstroke, you should:
- Relocate the person to a cool area
- Place wet, cold towels on the victim of yourself
- Don’t drink caffeine or juice, water is the best option
- Drink water, but make sure it is not too much too quickly
- If the situation is serious or vomiting or loss of consciousness occurs, call 911 immediately
Remember, should you need us, ServiceMaster Restoration is available 365 days a year, 7 days a week. We offer the best in professional water and fire mitigation services and work hard to offer you peace of mind.
