Summer is HERE in Southern California – perfect for beach days, bonfires, jaunts to amusement parks and backyard bbqs. Yet, as the heat rises, unless you’re sitting in the pool, your body can suffer from heat exhaustion or even heat stroke.
What is heat exhaustion?
According to the Orange County Health Care Agency, symptoms of heat exhaustion may include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, headache, nausea or vomiting and dizziness.
What are the warning signs?
Warning signs of heat stroke may include an extremely high body temperature, unconsciousness, confusion, hot and dry skin (no sweating), a rapid, strong pulse, and a throbbing headache. If symptoms of heat stroke occur, immediately call for medical assistance. Move the person to a shady area and begin cooling their body with water.
Here are some easy-breezy tips on keeping your family cool during these sunny summer days:
- STAY HYDRATED: Drink plenty of water even if you’re not thirsty.
- DRESS LIGHT: Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing, sunscreen and sunglasses.
- THE SHADE IS YOUR FRIEND: Seek shade whenever you can.
- CHILLED FOR THE TUMMY: Eat cold foods for breakfast, like melon, yogurt or cottage cheese.
- EATING TOWARDS COOL HEALTH: Avoid high-protein foods, which require a cranked-up metabolism to burn. Eat shorter meals more frequently.
- SUNBLOCK FOR YOUR HOME: Draw the blinds early in the day, say 9 a.m.; it’ll keep the house cooler.
- LIGHT ON YOUR TOES: If you’re doing a lot of walking, don’t wear 100 percent cotton socks. You’ll sweat more and be likelier to get a blister.
- KEEP YOUR PULSE COOL: Run cold water on your wrists, a “pulse point,” or splash water on your face or temples, says Mother Nature Network, which also has energy-efficiency suggestions.
- COOL AS A CUCUMBER SLUMBER: Spritz your sheets with a spray bottle before bedtime.