Stay Cool During Summer Heat   

 

Know Your Risk, Where You Can Go to Cool Off

 

Summer is upon us and this week’s high temperatures and humidity should remind us that getting too hot can make you sick. 

 

Getting overheated to the point you are uncomfortable is one thing, but you really can become ill from the heat if your body can't compensate for it and properly cool you off. Heat exposure can even kill you: it caused 8,015 deaths in the United States from 1979 to 2003.

  

 

These are the main things affecting your body's ability to cool itself during extremely hot weather:

 

• High humidity. When the humidity is high, sweat won't evaporate as quickly, which keeps your body from releasing heat as fast as it may need to.
• Personal factors. Age, obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, mental illness, poor circulation, sunburn, and prescription drug and alcohol use can play a role in whether a person can cool off enough in very hot weather.

Here are some facts about which people are at greatest risk for heat-related illness and what protective actions to take to prevent illness or death:

• People who are at highest risk are the elderly, the very young, and people with mental illness and chronic diseases.
• But even young and healthy people can get sick from the heat if they participate in strenuous physical activities during hot weather.
• Air-conditioning is the number one protective factor against heat-related illness and death. If a home is not air-conditioned, people can reduce their risk for heat-related illness by spending time in public facilities that are air-conditioned.

In Livingston County, there are eight locations residents can visit during business hours to cool off if they don’t have air conditioning. Sites include Livingston County Health Center, Livingston County Library, Calvary Baptist Church, Chillicothe City Hall, Grand River Multi Purpose Center, YMCA (please don’t use equipment unless a member), the SALT Center and RSVP Threads. A list of the Summer Cooling Stations is available on the health center website www.livcohealthcenter.com. 

  

You can take these steps to prevent heat-related illnesses, injuries, and deaths during hot weather:

•  Stay in an air-conditioned indoor location
•  Drink plenty of fluids. If you work outside, don’t leave home without a jug of water or other liquid. 
• Remember, alcoholic beverages are dehydrating and can put you at risk for heat stroke.
• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing and sunscreen.
• Schedule outdoor activities carefully.
• Pace yourself.
• Take cool showers or baths to cool down.
• Check on a friend or neighbor and have someone do the same for you.
• Do not leave children in cars.
• Check the local news for health and safety updates.

 

 

 

 

All services of the health center are provided on a non-discriminatory basis.