Cool Tips for Hot Weather
Rising temperatures can take a toll on our bodies. Usually, your body cools as perspiration evaporates off your skin. But on extremely hot days, evaporation slows and your body has to work harder to maintain a normal body temperature. The American Meteorological Society estimates that up to 1,000 people die each year from heat-related illnesses; many others become ill from heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
Viewer Tip: These tips will help you stay cool when the weather heats up.
- Stay inside if possible. If you do not have air conditioning at home, go to the home of a friend or relative, shopping mall, public library, cooling center or another public place. Even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help prevent heat-related illnesses.
- While electric fans do have a cooling effect, they do not prevent heat-related illnesses when temperatures reach the high 90s. Taking a cool shower or bath or moving to a place that is air-conditioned are better choices.
- Everyone feels the heat, but some people are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. Check regularly on friends and relatives who are 65 or older, have a mental illness, or have physical illnesses like heart disease or high blood pressure. Always keep a close watch on infants and children.
Season: Summer
(Sources: American Red Cross. “Talking about Disaster: Guide for Standarad Messages.” Available from: www.redcross.org.
Centers for Disease Control. “Tips for Preventing Heat-Related Illness.” http://emergency.cdc.gov/disaster/extremeheat/heattips.asp)
