5 Ways to Prevent Heat Stroke

As temperatures heat up during these summer months, it is important to take steps to protect yourself and your family from the heat. Heat stroke can lead to organ damage or even death. Based on age, health, medications, and other factors, some people can be more at-risk than others. Here are a few ways to prevent heat stroke.

1 – Wear Appropriate Clothing

Your clothing plays an important role in your body’s ability to cool itself. Avoid tight or thick clothing during the summer months. Instead, wear loose fitting pieces and opt for fabrics that are breathable. Clothing with built-in UVA/UVB can also protect against sunburns, which is an added bonus.

2 – Drink Plenty of Fluids

Sweating is your body’s way of regulating temperature. As you sweat, you will need to replenish fluids to prevent dehydration. An important way to prevent heat stroke is to drink plenty of fluids while out in the sun.

3 – Avoid Strenuous Activities

The only thing tougher than sitting in the sun is being active in the sun. This puts even more stress on your body and it’s efforts to regulate temperature. If possible, schedule activities around cooler parts of the day such as the morning or evening, or select shady locations for activities.

4 – Check Medications

Some medications have specific warnings about sun exposure. If you are on any type of medication, check the label for such precautions. Stay covered and/or avoid being outdoors altogether.

5 – Be Aware of Hot Car Dangers

Every year, children throughout the US die in hot cars. Some cases are related to issues of neglect but many are mere accidents. As a precaution, never leave your kids in a car during hot summer months. Even if you leave the air conditioning running, it may malfunction. Follow our additional summer car safety tips to avoid forgetting your children in the back seat.

Summary of Ways to Prevent Heat Stroke

The above ways to prevent heat stroke are just a few tips to always keep in mind. As temperatures rise above 100 degrees, even these precautions may not be enough. Seek shelter in cool places, especially during the middle of the day when it is hottest. If you really want to be outdoors, seek places to cool off such as a local pool, pond or beach,… but don’t forget the sunblock. We hope that you will enjoy these warm summer months and stay safe!