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Virginia health officials are recommending people take precautions, with the daytime temperatures breaking records and the heat index topping 100 degrees.
People who are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness include the very young, the very old, people with disabilities and chronic illness, and those under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
Last year, there were 10 heat-related deaths in Virginia when temperatures reached 100 degrees.
Virginia health officials issued the following recommendations:
• Schedule activities and outdoor work during the coolest parts of the day. In the summer, the heating effect from sunlight is greatest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Keep cool in an air-conditioned area. Take a cool shower or a bath. Consider a trip to the mall or a local library or visit a friend with air conditioning. Spending at least two hours a day in air conditioning reduces the number of heat-related illnesses. When temperatures reach the upper 90s or above, a fan may not prevent heat-related illness.
• Drink plenty of cool fluids, two to four glasses each hour. To replace salt and minerals lost from sweating, drink fruit juice or a sports beverage during exercise or when you have to work outside. However, talk to your doctor first if you are on a fluid-restricted diet, medications or a low-salt diet.
• Avoid sunburn and wear light clothing. Sunburn limits your body’s ability to keep cool and also causes a loss of body fluids. Use sunscreen. Lighter-weight clothing that is loose fitting and light colored is more comfortable during extreme temperatures. Use a hat to keep the head cool.
• Give your body a break as the heat wave can be stressful on your body. Limit
physical activity until your body adjusts to the heat.
• Never leave a child or a pet in a car. Temperatures inside a car can reach over 150 degrees quickly, resulting in heat stroke and death.
• Use the “buddy system” if you’re working outside. If you’re working outside and suffer a heat-related illness, you could become confused or could lose consciousness. Make sure someone else knows of your plans.
• Check on friends and neighbors who may be at increased risk of heat illness during this period of extreme heat.
For more information about heat-related illnesses, visit the Virginia Department of Health’s website at www.vdh.virginia.gov.