Staying Safe In Extreme Heat
By Tucson Medical Center
·
07/11/2019
Surviving the Tucson summer
Heat exhaustion can happen very quickly, and while it can happen to anyone of any age and physical condition, children and older adults may be particularly vulnerable to the heat.
We caught up with Janelle Christman, the manager of the TMC Emergency Department, for important tips on staying safe in the summer.
Tips for preventing heat exhaustion
- Limit your outdoor activity to the coolest hours of the day and try to avoid midday outings
- There’s no such thing as “being used to the heat.” Dehydration is a natural body response and everyone is susceptible.
- Drink plenty of fluids, even before you feel thirsty and even if you are in a pool. It can be easy to forget the importance of hydration but the best way to treat is to prevent exhaustion in the first place!
- Be mindful of how you store your medication since they may lose potency in the extreme heat. Don’t let them sit too long in the mailbox or in a parked car.
- The very young and the very old are most susceptible to heat exhaustion due to decreased thermoregulation. It’s always good to have an established buddy system to make sure they are safe throughout the day.
Know the signs of heat exhaustion.
If you or someone who are with has been exposed to extreme heat and are experiencing headache, tiredness, severe weakness, confusion, clammy skim or nausea, please call 911 or visit your nearest emergency department.
