Stay safe in heat

  As the heat intensifies over the summer months, Dare County Department of Public Health encourages everyone to avoid such health-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke by adopting the following tips:

* Drink more fluids regardless of activity level.

* Do not drink liquids containing alcohol, sugar or caffeine because they will cause you to lose more body fluid.

*  Fans are not generally effective when temperatures exceed 90 degrees.

* Stay indoors in air-conditioned locations such as the public library as much as possible if your home is not air-conditoned.

* Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.

* Never leave people or pets in closed, parked vehicles.

* Check regularly on young children, seniors, mentally ill persons and those you know with heart disease and high blood pressure as these groups are at greater risk to suffer heat-related illness.

  Of course some people do not get a choice regarding time spent outdoors. Those individuals who spend a lot of time outdoors should do the following;

* Limit activity to morning and/or evening hours if possible.

* Cut back on exercise and drink two to four glasses of cool liquid per hour.

* Try to rest often in shady areas.

* Wear  a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and put on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (the most effective brands say ”broad spectrum” or UVA/UVB protection on their labels).  For more information, contact Laura Willingham, health education supervisor, at 475-5079 or lauraw.@darenc.com.  (From Dare health department)