Summer holiday travel is very popular. It is important to avoid over exposure to the heat, especially for young children and the elderly. Here are some tips to stay safe in the heat.
1. The time between 10 am and 2 pm can be the hottest. It is best to avoid being outdoors during those times. Schedule your day’s events according to that and plan to be indoors or in shaded areas.
2. When outside, dress comfortably in light colored, light weight clothing that is loose. Hats are very useful to shield your face and neck in hot weather. It is very important to wear clothes made with natural fibers so they can breathe.
3. Even if you do not have any direct exposure to the sun, you must wear sunscreen with SPF rating of at least 30. Read the labels for directions to re apply. Almost all of them require re application every few hours for maximum protection.
4. You can lose a lot of fluids in the heat, so you must drink plenty of water. Instead of drinking water only when you are thirsty drink some in regular intervals throughout the day. Alcohol and sugary drinks can make you more dehydrated.
5. Heat exhaustion or heat stroke can occur during extreme heat conditions. Heatstroke is a dangerous condition that can be fatal. It can come about suddenly and result in loss of consciousness. When the sweating mechanism fails it can lead to extremely high body temperature and make the skin hot, red and dry. You must cool the skin with cold water and ice and take the person to the hospital immediately.
6. Water and electrolyte loss can cause a less serious condition called heat exhaustion. The victim is fatigued and weak and may experience excessive sweating. Sometimes they may also experience muscle cramps because of salt depletion. Pale and clammy skin is a common sign. Provide rest and lost of fluids in a cool and well ventilated area.
Make sure you have adequate travel or visitor health insurance to protect you in case of an emergency. Speak to your insurance agent before you go out on your trip. Enjoy your summer!