|
Summertime means blue skies, sunshine, hot dogs, watermelon,
vacation, and family visits. In Texas, it also means HEAT. Heat
related injuries take many forms, from sunburn to heat stroke.
Safety
Tips:
• Try to avoid exercising or working outside between the hours of
11:00am and 3:00pm.
• Drink plenty of water. Do not wait till you are thirsty.
• Avoid caffeinated drinks like coffee and colas, as well as,
alcohol and tablets. Some of these diuretics can lead to
dehydration.
• Stay informed about the weather forcast and make sure you dress
appropriately. Lightweight, loose clothing will help keep you
cool. Do not forget your sunglasses and hat.
• Apply sunscreen with a SPF (sun protection factor)of at least 30
to exposed skin. Remember small children should have a higher SPF
45 and above. You will need to reapply every few hours.
• When inside, use your air conditioner or a fan to keep the air
cool and circulating.
• After being outside, cool off slowly. Drink tepid or cool water,
sit in the shade, or take a lukewarm bath. Avoid drastic changes
in body temperature.
Here are a few warning signs of heat related injury. This is not a
comprehensive list, so if you are in doubt, take a break or seek
assistance.
• Skin becomes flushed, clammy, itches, or burns.
• Anxiety, fatigue, or lightheadedness.
• Excessive thirst, dizziness, vertigo, or headache.
Be extra cautious if you are:
• Over 65
• Obese
• Outside for over an hour and the temperature is over 90 degrees.
What to do if you or someone else has any of these signs:
• Move into the shade and get a cool drink of water.
• Apply a cool, damp cloth to the head and neck. Put hands in cool
water.
• Loosen any tight clothing.
• Call 911 if needed. |
Summer fitness.
These two
words just seem to go together. Summer is a great time to enjoy
fitness, good health and nutrition.
Take advantage of the summer’s bounty by eating lighter and
healthier. Whether you’re a backyard gardener or shop at the local
farmers’ market, fresh fruits and vegetables are abundant in North
Texas during the summer months.
Good nutrition is always important, but it becomes even more so
with age. The older a person gets, the less he/she eats because
physical activity declines, thus calorie needs decrease.
Medications and chronic illnesses may also interfere with the
body’s ability to use nutrients, as a result, a poor diet can take
a toll on health. On other hand, eating the right foods goes a
long way toward keeping you healthy as you age.
One way to increase your appetite is through exercise, which also
helps improve your physical being. But don’t let the dog days of
Texas’ summer heat prevent you from exercising regularly. Look for
indoor fitness programs and there are also numerous indoor and
outdoor swimming programs for people of all ages.
Water Safety
There are so many needless drowning deaths each summer, with a
little extra precaution a lot of those could be avoided.
• Make sure that adult ALWAYS supervises young children.
• You should NEVER swim alone at any age.
• NO Alcohol when swimming or supervising swimmers.
• Never dive in shallow water or in lakes or rivers where you are
unsure of the depth.
|
