How to prepare for a "Harsh" Dry Season (Part 3)
- Rehoboth Limited
- Feb 14, 2019
- 4 min read
Congruent with our mandate Protecting Health Improving Lives© it is our aim to help families become aware of and prepared for some of the health, social and environmental implications that may arise from this upcoming Dry Season. We encourage you to view and share these strategies with your loved ones as they unfold.
PREVENTING DEHYDRATION AND HEAT RELATED STRESS ON HOT DAYS AND DURING HOT SPELLS
→ AIR CONDITIONING – Ensure that units have had maintenance and are fully operational.
→ DRINKING WATER –Drinking Water must be set apart from other water storage needs.
→ AVOID THE SUN
Stay out of the sun especially between 10am to 4pm.
Choose Cool Shade (under Trees) over Hot Shade (example Under Umbrellas).
Stay inside malls, office spaces or home indoors on noted heat spell days.
Ensure that provisions are made for Pregnant Women, The Elderly, Babies, Infants, Children, socially isolated and Physically challenged individuals to be safe during heat spells.
Never leave, children, the elderly or pets unattended in a car even if windows are down fully or a fraction.
→ DRINK WATER
Your body needs more water in hot weather, regardless of your activity level, even if you aren’t thirsty.
Check with your doctor if you are on limited fluids or fluid pills.
Make it a daily routine to have a portable water supply on your person.
Drink non-alcohol and non-caffeinated beverages.
Avoid drinks that contain lots of sugar.
Don’t have extremely cold liquids, as they may cause stomach cramps.
Always ensure Children have their daily bottled water supply.
→ PLAN AHEAD
Too much activity on a very hot day can lead to heat stress.
Make Check with your doctor if you are on limited fluids or fluid pills.
Avoid physical activities like sport, renovating and gardening.
→ TAKE IT EASY – rest often and, whenever possible, stay indoors or in the shade.
→ STAY COOL –
Keep air circulating around you.
Draw your blinds or curtains and
Use a fan or air conditioning
If you don’t have air conditioning, visit a mall or library
Keep cool: -
Use wet towels
Put your feet in cool water
Take cool (not cold) showers
→ PROTECT YOURSELF OUTSIDE
If you must be outdoors, remember to protect yourself from the sun.
‘Slip, slop, slap’ by covering exposed skin with light weight clothes using sunscreen.
Wear a hat, seek shade and slide on UV sunglasses.
→ KEEP UP YOUR ENERGY LEVELS
Eat Smaller Meals More Often
Eat Cold Meals such as Salads.
→ CHECK IN ON OTHERS
Keep in touch with older, sick or frail family, friends and neighbours who may need help coping with the heat, especially those who live alone.
Call them at least once Daily on any extreme heat day.
sourced from: BetterHealth
sourced from: HEAT RELATED CONDITIONS SAFETY GUIDE
HEAT RASH
DESCRIPTION
Sometimes called ‘prickly heat’, this is a skin irritation caused by excessive sweating. It can occur at any age, but is most common in young children.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
It looks like a red cluster of pimples or small blisters. It is most likely to occur on the neck and upper chest, in the groin, under the breasts and in the elbow creases.
SAFETY MEASURES
Move the person to a cooler, less humid environment.
Keep the affected area dry.
Try using un-perfumed talcum powder to increase comfort.
Avoid using ointments or creams, as they keep the skin warm and moist, and may make the condition worse.
HEAT CRAMPS
DESCRIPTION
Painful involuntary muscle spasms. These may occur during heavy exercise and are often caused by dehydration
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Spasms that feel like night time leg cramps only more severe. They often occur in the abdomen and back
SAFETY MEASURES
Cool down and rest.
Drink and electrolyte containing sports drink or clear juice.
Gently massage and stretch the affected muscles.
Call the doctor if your cramps do not go away within one hour.
HEAT EXHAUSTION
DESCRIPTION
Exhaustion that begins suddenly and is sometimes caused by exercise, excessive perspiring or dehydration
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Low Blood Pressure
Cool moist skin
Low Grade Fever
Feeling Faint
Nausea
Heavy Perspiring
Rapid weak heart beat
SAFETY MEASURES
Move the person to a shady area
Lay them down and keep the legs and feet slightly elevated
Loosen or remove clothing
Give them cool (not iced) water or a sports drink containing electrolytes to drink
Fan the person or spray or sponge them down with cool (not iced) water
NOTE WELL:
HEAT EXHAUSTION CAN QUICKLY TURN INTO HEAT STROKE
If the fever is greater than 102 degrees Farenheit, fainting, confusion and seizures occur, CALL an AMBULANCE
HEAT STROKE
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
A potentially life threatening heat-related problem that often results from heavy work and dehydration. The body’s normal mechanism for dealing with heat stress, such as sweating and temperature control stops working. Older adults who are heavily over-weight and people with a physical impediment are at greater risk
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Body temperature greater than 104 degrees Farenheit with mental confusion and even coma.
Skin may be hot and dry although caused by exhaustion skin may be usually moist.
Rapid Heart Beat
Vomiting
Rapid and Shallow Breathing
Elevated or Lowered Blood Pressure
Sweating Stops
Irritability
Unconsciousness
Fainting which may be the first sign in an older adult
SAFETY MEASURES
MOVE THE PERSON INTO THE SHADE OR AN AIR-CONDITIONED SPACE.
CALL AN AMBULANCE.
WRAP THE PERSON WITH DAMP SHEETS OR SPRAY THEM WITH COOL (NOT ICED) WATER.
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