Stay safe in the summer heat

Summer is a time to enjoy the great outdoors. But each year during the warm-weather months, thousands end up in hospital emergency rooms suffering from heatstroke. Hundreds die of heat-related illnesses each year; dozens of those are children. That’s why we wanted to share with you these tips from the Mayo Clinic Health System for making this summer a safe one for you and your family:

• Drink plenty of fluids. Staying hydrated will help your body sweat and maintain a normal body temperature. If you drink only when you’re thirsty, you run the risk of getting dehydrated.
• Wear lightweight, loose-fitting and light-colored clothing. Lightweight and loose-fitting clothes will help your body cool properly. Light colors help reflect the sun’s rays while dark colors absorb them.
• Never leave anyone alone in a parked car. When parked in the sun, the temperature in your car can rise by more than 20 degrees Fahrenheit in just 10 minutes. Even if the windows are open, it’s simply not safe for anyone — adults, children or pets — to remain in a parked car on a hot summer day.
• Enjoy the outdoors early in the morning and later in the afternoon. Try exercising or working outside early in the morning and late in the afternoon or early evening. Drink a lot of fluids and try to utilize shade as much as possible.
• Watch prescriptions. Ask your doctor if any prescriptions or medications you’re taking make you more sensitive to the sun.