Beating the heat is a challenge for man and beast as temperatures soar higher and higher during the summer months. The Rowan County Health Department and the Rowan County extension office want everyone to remember safety tips when participating in outdoor activities and prevent heat-related illness in people and livestock.
Health Educator with Gateway District Health Department Sandra Ellington said it is important that people have safety in mind whenever attending outside events.
“You want to stay hydrated and drink a lot of water,” Ellington said. “Eat lots of fruits and foods high in water content.”
Stay in a cool place.
“You want to stay inside where there is air conditioning available,” she said. “If air conditioning is not available people need to get out of the heat and stay in the shade and wear sunscreen when you are outside.”
Sunscreen is a great source for protection against the sun’s ultraviolet rays (the portion of sunlight that cause sun burn and skin cancers).
“It is recommended to wear sunscreen that is at a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher,” she said. “You want to reapply often even if the container says that it is waterproof and you don’t have to reapply.”
The amount of sunscreen application is determined by a person’s skin complexion.
“If you are a redhead with light complexion and burn easy you should make sure that you are using an SPF 30 or higher sunscreen and apply often,” Ellington said.
Everyone should apply sunscreen more often during peak hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun is its strongest.
If one does not have sunscreen, wearing the right clothing is important for preventing heat-related illness.
“If they do not have sunscreen, wear white thin material with long sleeves,” she said. “You should wear sunglasses, a hat with a wide brim. Wide-brimmed hats protect your ears and your neck. You do not want a straw hat because it has holes in it that causes sunlight to seep through and burn one’s skin. You need a tightly woven hat like a canvas hat, and don’t forget your lips. Your lips need sunscreen. Make sure your chap stick has a SPF of 15 and reapply it often.”
Babies should never be exposed to heat at long periods of time. However there are some precautions parents must take if they must have their infants outside.
“Babies over 6 months of age need sunglasses and hats,” she said. “Babies do not need the sun. I wouldn’t use a spray on a baby. You would want use a lotion that is for children that has a high SPF.”
Babies need hydration too. Keep on schedule with feedings. They should be left with another caretaker such as the baby’s relative or childcare center instead of taking them along to the beach.
“If a childcare provider is not available don’t go to the beach, it’s not worth it if your child becomes seriously ill or seriously sunburned,” she said. “If you must take your baby with you to the beach and there is no shade available, take an umbrella with you as a source of shade for your baby.”
Parents should keep heat safety in mind when taking their infants and toddlers with them in the vehicle.
“Do not leave children in the car for five minutes,” she said. “People are distracted when they go to businesses or run errands.”
Ellington said it is better to not take children along when making trips to do errands or grocery shopping.
“Leave theme at home,” she said. “If you must take them with you, bring someone with you to sit in the car to supervise them.”
Many people tend to leave their children in a vehicle unattended with the motor on.
“I would not recommend leaving the car running,” Ellington said. Severe heat causes many deaths when children are being left in the car are all too common.
“Every year we see stories about people dying from heat-related deaths,” she said. “People do not realize how quickly the temperature rises in the car.”
Rowan County Extension Agent Bob Marsh said water is essential in preventing livestock from heat.
“The biggest thing is to provide a good, clean adequate supply of water,” Marsh said. “There should be up to 20 gallons per head per day.”
Having adequate shade available is important.
“Natural shade is best,” Marsh said. “Shade will help them to keep cool.”
Cows tend to gravitate to nearby ponds to keep cool, he said.
“Keep cattle out of ponds because there are some disease issues related to cows congregating in ponds,” he said.
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