Summertime is my favorite season of the year. There’s nothing like being able to spend all day outdoors in the sun, with a cloudless sky and an occasional breeze. Summertime consistently puts me in a better mood. I’m sure many others can agree with me.
As much as we love warmer temperatures, and the sun-kissed glow that comes with it, the reality is that we just can’t handle the heat. Summer comes with many wonderful things, but it also brings a lot of risks.
Heat Illnesses
Prolonged exposure to sun and heat can result in several different illnesses. Here are a few* you should be aware of and recognize:- Heat Cramps: Muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion. They are often the first signal that your body is having trouble with the heat.
- Heat Exhaustion: Typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where bodily fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs. Decreased blood flow results in a form of mild shock. If not treated, your condition will worsen. Body temperature will keep rising, and you may suffer heat stroke.
- Heat Stroke/Sun Stroke: A life-threatening condition. The body’s temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool off, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly.
If your family or church group is planning an event outdoors, be sure to have several supervisors on hand to watch for symptoms of these heat illnesses.
How to Handle the Heat
Be proactive in preparing for heat illnesses. Thinking ahead can be the difference between life and death. So what can we do as risk managers to handle the heat?Get Your Kit Together: That’s right—your emergency kit is essential for extreme heat situations too! If you haven’t taken time to update your emergency kit from the winter weather, now is the perfect time to update it, making sure you’re ready for any adventure in the sun.
Your summer kit can include:
Be careful with the kiddos: According to Safe Kids Worldwide, “Young children are particularly at risk, as their bodies heat up three to five times faster than an adult’s.” On average, a child dies from heatstroke in a vehicle every 10 days. While you might handle the heat, the younger ones might not be handling it as well.
Safe Kids Worldwide recommends you ACT to reduce risk.
- A: Avoid heatstroke-related injury and death by never leaving your child alone in a car, not even for a minute. Make sure to lock your car when you’re not in it, so kids don’t play around and get in on their own.
- C: Create reminders by putting something in the back of your car next to your child. Use items such as a briefcase, a purse, or a cell phone that you will use at your final destination. This simple act is of particular importantance if you’re not following your normal routine.
- T: Take action. If you see a child alone in a car, call 911. Emergency personnel are trained to respond to these situations. One call could save a life.
Stay cool: This might seem a little obvious, but we can often forget or do an inadequate job of staying cool enough. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends limiting outdoor activity to mornings and evenings and frequently resting in shady areas. Be intentional with your clothing. Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking more fluids, regardless of your activity level. Avoid any drinks high in sugar, which can cause you to lose more body fluid, and very cold water, which can cause stomach cramps.
Follow these tips and you’ll be able to handle the heat and have a great time outdoors!
