By Haley Heisley

With the warm weather quickly turning into hot weather, it isn’t just about the beach days, sun tans, cold lemonade, and swimming pools – but also, about the safety considerations that come with each of these. 

Believe it or not, according to the CDC, high temperatures cause hundreds of heat related deaths each year – but these deaths are preventable. 

To sum it up, high temperatures can make you sick and if they are too high your body can’t compensate to cool you down. High humidity levels and personal considerations like obesity, poor circulation, sun burn, alcohol/drug use and heart disease as well as people 65 and older, children younger than 2 and people with chronic diseases or mental illness pose as the highest risk.

It is advised that the precautions listed below be implemented into daily routines throughout this summer, especially on the hottest days to prevent high temperature related problems:

• Air conditioning (as much as possible).
• Drink a lot of water, even when you’re not thirsty.
• Check on your at risk neighbors, friends, and family members.
• Limit outdoor activity during the hottest times of day in midafternoon. 
• Pace activities out by starting out slow and gradually picking up the pace.
• Wear lightweight/light-colored clothing. 
• Take cool showers or baths periodically to cool down.
• Schedule intense activities/exercises for the later part of the day when it cools down.
• Never leave people or pets alone in hot cars.
• Wear sunblock, even if the sun is not out. 

By taking these protocols, becoming aware of at-risk populations, and listening to our bodies – it can make all the difference this summer. Visit redcross.org for more summer and heat safety tips.