Heat warnings are called when temperatures reach extremes that pose health risks. And while many of us love the heat, it's important that certain precautions are taken when engaging it during a heat warning. Here are some important tips for surviving a heat warning:
1. Box fans and ceiling fans: If you don't have air conditioning, use box fans and ceiling fans, with your windows open, to push hot air out of your house or apartment. In the evening, when the temperature cools down, open the windows and let in as much cool air as possible; then, when it warms up again, close all windows and shut the blinds until the temperatures cool down again. Repeat each subsequent day.
2. Cool water: Use cold water for foot baths, on bandannas or towel wraps; take cool showers and baths, and even use spritzer bottles filled with cold water to keep you cool.
3. Keep track of weather forecast: It's important that you keep up to date on the weather forecast to know when a heat wave and warning are in effect, when the temperatures will peak, and when they will cool down. This will keep you best prepared.
4. Hydrate: Drink plenty of liquids, particularly water. You may also need to replace electrolytes if you're commuting via transit and are sweating and walking considerable distances, which can be coconut water or drinks like Gatorade.
5. Avoid caffeine and alcohol: These drinks are diarrhetic, which mean they eliminate water from the body, thus making you more susceptible to head aches, dizziness, even fainting.
6. Avoid strenuous activity: Such activity will cause you to sweat, lose body fluids, and succumb to health issues. If you need to perform strenuous activity, do so between 4am and 7am.
7. Get inside A/C areas: If you don't have air conditioning in your home or apartment, get into places that do: a library is a great place; additionally there are malls, movie theatres, and cafes.
8. Turbo box fan: Set a box fan in front of a pan of ice or your fridge/freezer and maximize the cold-factor.
9. Look after the most vulnerable: Children and seniors have the greatest risk of health issues during a heat wave. Ensure they're safety by keeping them indoors, driving them to where they need to go, and ensuring they're hydrated. Never leave your kids in the car with the air conditioner off--even with the windows open; take them, instead, into the cool stores with you.
10. Protect your pets: Imagine walking in 30+ degrees in a fur suit? Well that's your dog. Keep your pets indoors and out of the sun. If you need to walk them, keep it short, and make sure they have access to plenty of water. Never leave them in the car, even with the windows down. They're best left at home.
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