Hot Weather Safety
High temperatures during the summer months kill hundreds of people every year. It is important to stay cool and hydrated when working in hot weather. There are many ways to protect yourself from heat and sun exposure including, drinking water, limiting outdoor activity in the hottest part of the day, and wearing sunscreen and protective clothing.
Those who are at the highest risk include people 65 and older, children younger than two, and people with chronic diseases or mental illnesses.
Factors affecting your body’s ability to cool you down
- High humidity: high humidity reduces the amount of sweat that can evaporate from your body and keeps you from releasing heat.
- Personal factors: Age, obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, mental illness, poor circulation, sunburn, and prescription drug and alcohol use all affect your body’s ability to cool you down in hot weather.
Everyone should take these steps to prevent heat-related illnesses, injuries, and death during hot weather:
- As often as possible, stay in air-conditioned locations.
- Continually drink water even if you are not thirsty.
- Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing and sunscreen.
- Pace yourself, take breaks as you feel needed.
- Take cool showers or baths to cool down.
- Check on a friend or neighbor and have someone do the same for you.
- Never leave children or pets in cars.
- Check the local news for health and safety updates.
