How to Protect Yourself from the Heat

Heat can be a killer.

Even in a modern city, when temperatures soar during summer heatwaves, you can be killed by heatstroke.

It is important to protect yourself. Small children and elderly can be especially vulnerable because they are less able to regulate their internal temperatures.

But what if you have to be out in the heat, and you don’t have a cool air conditioned spot? What can you do to protect yourself?

First of all, find shade. If you cannot get yourself out of the sun, especially if it is strong midday sun, then make sure you have a hat with a good brim. If you know you will need to stand out in the sun for a long time, for example to wait in line, then try using an umbrella to provide some shade.

Second, keep yourself supplied with plenty of water, preferably cold water. When it is very hot you lose body fluids through perspiration very quickly. Keep drinking water to replenish fluids. A sign that you are overheated and dehydrated is if you find it difficult to think clearly and to do simple things.

Third, don’t drink any alcoholic beverages in order to quench your thirst. Unless you are sure you will soon be in a cool air-conditioned space, drinking any kind of alcohol will only make the situation worse. Alcohol not only tricks your body into excreting too much fluid, it also makes your body much less able to cope with the heat. If it is very hot and you have too much alcohol in your system you will definitely be at a disadvantage.

That’s it. Shade, plenty of water and no alcohol.

Remember to always respect the power of nature. Adverse conditions, either too hot or too cold, can easily kill.

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