Summertime Safety Tips, Part 10: Water is Your Friend on a Hot Day
Posted August 5th, 2016 by Anthony Carbone, PC.
Categories: Personal Injury.
The Dog Days of Summer are upon us. You may have heard this phrase before. Between July 3 and August 11, Sirius, the dog star, rises at the same time as the sun. This period is usually marked by a lethargy because of the temperature. It’s true, the dog days are known as the sultriest part of the summer. It also means a rise in heat-related illnesses.
Although anyone who works outside during this time knows how blistering hot it can get, what you don’t know that just a couple of hours in the sun can take a toll on your body. For instance — let’s say you’re trying to stay in shape. So every day, you wake up and go for a job before the heat of the day sets in. However, today your alarm clock didn’t go off and you slept in. Not wanting to miss a day of exercise, you decide to take a short jog during your lunchtime break. It’s quite hot out but nothing you can’t handle. As you come back into your air-conditioned office building, you start to feel light-headed and have a sudden headache. When you take a sip of water, you vomit. You quickly become disoriented and someone calls 911. What happened?
Hyperthermia, more commonly known as heat stroke, can happen quickly. When your body becomes hot, it tries to cool you down in various ways, including sweating. However, if you become dehydrated, you can’t produce sweat and your body temperature will rise enough to make you sick.
Heat stroke can be life-threatening. Your temperature rises to 105 degrees or higher and you can develop brain damage or damage other vital internal organs. Factors of heat stroke include:
- Not drinking enough water
- Wearing heavy clothing in the heat
- Being overweight
- Sleep deprivation, which can reduce the rate of sweating
- Being unaccustomed to heat
- Taking certain types of medication
There are ways to prevent heat stroke. Keep these tips in mind when going out in the hot weather:
- When you begin to feel too warm, go back inside
- Stay hydrated by drinking lots and lots of water
- Wear lightweight and light-colored clothing
- Avoid any strenuous activity between 10 am and 4 pm. If you can’t, take as many breaks as you need
- Drink less caffeine and alcohol. They contribute to dehydration
If you or someone you know needs legal advice in the Jersey City area, we’re ready to assist. Contact the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone today for a free consultation.
