How To Avoid Heat Illness

Though we had a cooler start to the week, temperatures will be climbing close to 90 degrees in the next couple of days.

With the summer heat comes the higher risk of being a victim of heat cramps, heat exhaustion or even heat stroke. Health and Special Populations Coordinator, Brooke Smith told us about some of the signs and symptoms to watch out for.

“Typically with heat cramps you just feel a sudden onset of cramping in your hands and in your feet and your muscles might feel a little hard. As far as heat exhaustion, you start to feel a little fatigued, maybe a little light headed. You might get a headache, you might feel a little irritated, [and] extremely thirsty.”

Heat stroke is the most dangerous. Smith said you can feel hot, dizzy, flushed or even lose consciousness. Some methods you can use to cool down include moving to the shade, drinking water, or going indoors. Smith told us keeping cool even depends on your choice in clothing.

“Having a ball hat on, a lot of the dri-fit clothing nowadays definitely allows your body to breathe a bit and keeps you a little bit cooler than wearing a lot of the cotton clothing that kind of absorbs the heat in and wearing light colored clothing versus say a black or navy blue or dark colored clothing that would attract the heat more.”

Smith said everyone is at risk to suffering some sort of heat related illness. You are encouraged to listen to your body if you are out and about enjoying the weather in the coming days.