Handling The Summer Heat

For many, the summer season is a time to enjoy the outdoors. However, people still need to take certain precautions when being out in the heat. Hot weather can actually be deceptively dangerous for people, so it is important to understand these dangers and what to do when dealing with the heat.

Extreme Heat

Extreme heat is a weather condition in which it is 90 degrees fahrenheit (32 degrees celsius) for at least two to three days. For many, hot weather at this temperature might only feel uncomfortable or a bit nauseating, but it can be particularly dangerous for young children, older people over the age of 65 and people with health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, respiratory diseases and mental illness. It is fine for people with and without these health conditions to go outside in the heat, but it is important to follow certain heat safety tips in order to prevent the risk of heat-related illnesses.

Heat Safety Tips

• The most important heat safety tip is to drink lots of water. Drink water even when you do not feel thirsty. Additionally, liquids such as tea, coffee and soda do not hydrate the body. A way to know how hydrated you are is by checking your urine color. Urine that is dark yellow is generally a sign you are not drinking enough water. 
• Do not leave children or pets in cars when it is hot outside. Some people believe doing this is fine as long as the windows are down, but both children and pets are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses and leaving the window open does little to change the temperature of the car.
• When sweating a lot, either eat a snack or drink a beverage with electrolytes (such as Powerade or Gatorade). Sweating releases salts and minerals out of the body, which are important for the body. It is good to consume something which will replenish these nutrients. 
• While being outside is good, it is important to limit your time out in the sun when it is particularly hot out. Find a place in the shade or indoors to rest a bit in between being outside.
• If you start experiencing dizziness and fatigue it is best to immediately find a cool place to rest and drink some water.
• If possible, avoid being out in the hottest part of the day which is 12 to 5 pm.
• Wear loose and light weight clothing.

How to handle heat-related illnesses

Heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke are both illnesses people can get from too much exposure from the heat. 

Heat exhaustion occurs when people lose too many bodily fluids from sweating too much. Typically, this happens because people are exercising heavily or in a hot and humid place for too long. The symptoms for heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headaches, nausea and fainting.

For handling heat exhaustion you should:

• Move to an air-conditioned place and lie down.
• Loosen/remove clothing.
• Get into a cool shower or bath, or apply cool, wet clothes.
• Sip water or cool sports drinks. Discontinue if nauseated.
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol.

If symptoms either do not improve, the person is not able to take in fluids or is vomiting, it is best to call 911 for medical attention.

Heat stroke is a severe illness that can cause brain damage or death. It is when a person’s temperature control system stops working and results in their body temperature rising too quickly. Symptoms of heat stroke include body temperature above 103 degrees fahrenheit (39 degrees celsius), red skin, racing heart, rapid breathing, headache, confusion, dizziness and unconsciousness.

For handling heat stroke you should: 

• Immediately call 911.
• Move the person to a cooler location.
• Remove excess clothes.
• Cool with water and ice.

Dealing with heat while indoors

It can also get hot while indoors so it is important to either have an air conditioner or fan inside the house. If you are using a fan, open a window to release trapped hot air. You can use drapes or awnings to block out the heat. For those who do not have access to air conditioning or a fan, you can take cold showers or baths. You can also go to public places with air conditioning such as the mall.

Emergency Resources

These are some heat health resources the City of Philadelphia provides during extreme heat weather:

• The Heatline (215) 765-9040, which provides heat safety tips and 
• During Heat Health Emergencies, people can go to cooling centers located throughout the city, which can be found here.
• Pools are a great place to go to beat the heat. Locations can be found here.
• Spraygrounds are recreational play spaces where children can interact with water. There are some locations throughout Philadelphia which can be found here.
• When the city declares a Code Red, unhoused people are able to call for assistance at this number: (215) 232-1984.
• For any medical emergency call 911.