Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Beat That Extreme Heat And Be Safe!


Heat is affecting millions of people now and hurting by it. Extreme heat is no laughing matter and could be deadly if proper prevention is not taken. If you are in the area affected by the heat and your home does not have air conditioning, locate a public health sponsored heat-relief shelter in your community and don't forget your pets as well;

  • Drink more fluids (nonalcoholic), regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Warning: If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask him how much you should drink while the weather is hot.
  • Don’t drink liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar–these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.
  • Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the shopping mall or public library–even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat. Call your local health department to see if there are any heat-relief shelters in your area.
  • Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath, or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.
  • Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
  • NEVER leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle.
  • Although any one at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others. Check regularly on:
    • Infants and young children
    • People aged 65 or older
    • People who have a mental illness
    • Those who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure
  • Visit adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Infants and young children, of course, need much more frequent watching.

If you have to be outside;
  • Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.
  • Cut down on exercise. If you must exercise, drink two to four glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids each hour. A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat. Warning: If you are on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage. Remember the warning in the first “tip” (above), too.
  • Try to rest often in shady areas.
  • Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat (also keeps you cooler) and sunglasses and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (the most effective products say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” on their labels).

Saturday, July 02, 2011

Keeping Your Newborn Baby Safe From Sun On July 4th Outings.

Newborn's comes with sensitive skin, let me say very sensitive and fragile and is particularly vulnerable to sunburn, that we all used to enjoy around July 4th and beyond. So parents (and everyone around and near a baby) should be extra cautious and take care of the bundle of joy.

The American Academy of Pediatrics offers these suggestions to prevent sunburn in babies less than six months:
Avoid sun exposure as much as possible.
Dress baby in a lightweight, long-sleeved top and long pants.
Put baby in a wide-brimmed hat to shield the face.
If you can't keep baby out of the sun, apply a small bit of sunscreen to the face and the backs of baby's hands.
Via Medline Plus

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