Keep Your Cool in Hot Weather

Summer is in full swing and temperatures are heating up across the nation. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), heat is one of the leading causes of weather-related deaths in the United States, resulting in hundreds of fatalities each year and even more heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke, heat cramps, and heat exhaustion. 

The best line of defense against these illnesses is prevention. if you are required to be outdoors, follow these safety tips for keeping hydrated and watch the signs for heat exhaustion and heat stroke and what to do if you encounter/see these signs in someone else as well as yourself.

• Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun;
• Stay on the lowest level out of the sun if air conditioning is unavailable;
• Eat well-balanced, light, and regular meals;
• Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight, and light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible; and
• Avoid doing strenuous work outside during the warmest part of the day.

When necessary, NWS issues heat-related alerts to help you prepare for extreme weather conditions. To learn more about these alerts and how they impact you, visit: either of these two NWS websites for more information on this topic: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/heat/index.shtml or http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/heat/heat-illness.shtml