The summer is heating up, and our bodies are working extra hard to maintain a normal body temperature.

If you plan to be outside try to keep your body cool by staying in the shade as much as possible, take breaks, and try to keep outdoor activities during the coolest part of the day or in the evening. Avoid using fans when the temperature is above 95 degrees. Using a fan creates a false sense of comfort and doesn’t reduce your body’s temperature increasing your risk of heat related illness.

If you need to find a location that has air conditioning, you can dial 2-1-1 or visit the National Center for Healthy Housing’s to view cooling centers by state.

It’s also very important to stay hydrated during extreme heat. No matter how active you are it’s important that you drink plenty of water. A few tips to keep in mind include:

• Carrying a water bottle and refill it throughout the day
• Limiting beverages high in sugar, caffeine, sodium, and alcohol
• If you are sweating a lot combine water with a snack or sports drink to replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat

If your body gets too hot, you can get sick. Listed below are the symptoms of overheating, if you or someone you know shows signs of a heat related illness seek medical care.

• Muscle cramping
• Usually heavy sweating
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Weakness
• Nausea

Additional precautions to take on hot days include:

• Wearing cool, loose, and light-colored clothing
• Take cool showers or baths
• Try using your oven less to avoid heating up your home
• Keep pets safe during extreme heat. Make sure they have plenty of water and avoid dark pavement.

Be sure to check on family and friends, especially those who might be at a higher risk of heat-related illnesses. Children, people with heart disease, pregnant women, people working outdoors, and individuals 65 and older are at a greater risk.

For more information on how to prepare for extreme heat visit ready.gov

For more information on how to protect yourself and others during extreme heat visit cdc.gov

Kaitlynn Tonn is an OSU Extension Family & Consumer Sciences Educator and may be reached at 330-264-8722 or tonn.13@osu.edu
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This article was previously published in The Daily Record.