According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 400 Americans die each year due to summer’s oppressive conditions. If that’s not enough, the National Weather Service states that excessive heat was the number one weather-related killer, causing more fatalities per year than floods, lightning, tornadoes, hurricanes, winter storms and extreme cold. Signs of heat-related illnesses include nausea, dizziness, flushed or pale skin, heavy sweating and headaches. If you see a victim of a heat-related illness they should be moved to a cool place, given cool water to drink, and ice packs should be applied to the skin. However, it’s easy to avoid being a victim of the heat.

                To avoid the wrath of the heat, follow these simple steps courtesy of the American Red Cross: drink water, slow down and avoid strenuous activity, be a good neighbor, and dress appropriately. Water or juice should be on your person at all times; drink even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid caffeine, despite the reliance our society has on the energy it provides, it dehydrates.  Slow down during the day (perhaps the lack of caffeine will help).  If you have to do strenuous activity, do it during the cooler parts of the day, between 4 and 7 A.M. Love thy neighbor; if you know of an elderly neighbor who may not have Air Conditioning or may not respond well to the heat, check in on them.  Light colors and fabric will help you beat the heat this season; hats or umbrellas can also provide a much needed break from the beating the sun often provides on our skin.

Stay Cool,

Sampson Insurance Agency

This blog was based solely on the article “Beat the Heat with Red Cross Safety Tips” which can be found at: http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.1a019a978f421296e81ec89e43181aa0/?vgnextoid=a69ff6c5fd47b110VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD