Heat exhaustion is no joke. Don’t underestimate the hot weather and how it can affect your health this summer.
According to the Center for Disease Control’s heat tracker, an average of 9,235 people per year are hospitalized due to heat. The tracker also states that an average of 702 heat-related deaths happen per year. Those are some sobering statistics that you don’t want to ignore.
You don’t want to end up in the hospital because of the heat this summer. So, what can you do to stay healthy and avoid getting heat exhaustion?
Keep Your House Cool
One of the easiest ways to avoid heat exhaustion in the summer is to stay in an air-conditioned space. This means that you should have an AC unit running at home. This should keep your indoor air comfortable and safe, no matter what the weather is like outside your front door.
If your AC unit isn’t working properly, you should get it fixed as soon as possible, even if you don’t have the budget for it. It’s essential for your health during the hottest times of the year. Leaving the problem untouched until you have enough money saved up is a major risk.
If you don’t have enough savings for an AC unit repair, look for an alternative payment method. You could use a credit card or a personal line of credit to cover the repair. If you’re wondering how a personal line of credit is unique to a credit card, learn the differences between them — you might be surprised by these differences.
One similarity between a credit card and a personal line of credit is repayment. Since you’ve borrowed money from these credit tools, you will have to repay what you borrowed. This will be done through a straightforward billing cycle.
Stay Hydrated
Whenever the weather outside is scorching, you should make a concentrated effort to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. You should also avoid eating and drinking certain things that will leave you feeling parched, like salty foods, sugary drinks and alcohol.
Look out for the tell-tale signs that you are not drinking enough water:
- Dry mouth
- Bad breath
- Chapped lips
- Headaches
- Low energy
- Dark urine
Avoid the Outdoors at Peak Times
The Environmental Protection Agency states that the sun is hottest from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. So, if you want to avoid heat exhaustion, you should do your best to limit your sun exposure during these peak hours. Stay indoors if you can and plan your outdoor activities around this timeframe.
If you must go outside during these times, take certain precautions. Try to stay in a shaded area. Bring a bottle of water so that you can stay hydrated. Wear sun protection to reduce your chances of getting sunburnt. And try not to do an intense activity — for example, going for a long run. Reserve those activities for other times or indoor spaces with plenty of air conditioning.
Heat exhaustion is not something that you want to experience this summer. So, follow these simple tips and stay safe in the hot weather!
