Tips to Keep Your Cool This Summer

The weather forecast for the coming week is a long string of very hot temperatures of upper 90’s for actual temperatures and the “feels Like” temps in the mid 100’s.  Summer has finally hit Texas. 

We have collected some great tips for dealing with the Texas heat and thought we would share them with you.

Take Action

Don’t leave children or pets in a car, which can swelter in the sun.

The sun’s radiation heats objects that it strikes, such as a dark dashboard or seat, warming the air trapped inside a vehicle. In about two minutes a car can go from a safe temperature to an unsafe 94.3 degrees, according to General Motors and San Francisco State University, and even reach temperatures of 180 degrees to over 200 degrees.

Prevent Heat-Related Illnesses

The best way to prevent heat-related illnesses is being able to recognize their symptoms. Illnesses such as heat cramps, heat rash, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke all have similar symptoms, which can include pale, cool, moist skin; heavy sweating; muscle cramps; rash; swelling, especially hands and feet; fatigue and weakness; dizziness and/or fainting; and headache. Call emergency services (911) in the event of a heat emergency and try to keep the victim cool until help arrives. Give them water to drink, apply a cool wet compress, use a fan to blow cool air on them, and give them room to breathe.

Stay hydrated

Sweating is the body’s mechanism for self-cooling, but you need to drink plenty of water to give it something to work with. Recommendations vary between two to four glasses of water every hour in excessive heat. Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink.

Pay attention to what you eat and drink.

Eat less salty food and protein, which produce metabolic heat that causes water loss. Eat more fruits and vegetables and smaller, frequent meals, it said. Drinking alcohol can also increase the effect of heat.

Create Comfort

• Fill a spray bottle with water and keep it in the refrigerator for a quick refreshing spray to your face after being outdoors.
• Try storing lotions or cosmetic toners in the refrigerator to use on hot, overtired feet.
• Keep plastic bottles of water in the freezer; grab one when you're ready to go outside. As the ice melts, you'll have a supply of cold water with you.
• Take frequent baths or showers with cool or tepid water.
• Try an icy foot bath. The fastest way to start shivering in 90-degree heat may be to dip your toes into freezing cold water. Fill a bowl with cool water, and dip your little piggies right in.
• If you start feeling warm, run your hands under cold water. Then place your cool wrists on the back of your neck to soothe your skin before perspiration begins.
• Wear loose-fitting clothing, preferably of a light color. Cotton clothing will keep you cooler than many synthetics.

Use Common Sense

Every summer we hear tragic stories of people dying because of the heat. Sometimes the tragedies are entirely preventable if common sense was used. For example:

• Never leave children or animals in a hot car even for a few minutes.
• Check in on elderly relatives in the event that they live in a home that doesn’t have air conditioning.
• Give your kids light bedding that allows for maximum cooling.
• Make sure everyone in your family has a water bottle that they take with them wherever they go, especially if they’re exercising.
• And, speaking of exercise, don’t do it outside in the intense midday heat.

Dean and Draper

We’re planning on having a great summer and hope that our tips will help you have some fun, too.  When you have questions about insurance, we’ll be here with the answers.

Dean& Draper is a Trusted Choice insurance agency representing over 200 insurance companies. For over 35 years we have offered a trusted freedom of choice to our clients.  ContactUs.

The recommendation(s), advice and contents of this material are provided for informational purposes only and do not purport to address every possible legal obligation, hazard, code violation, loss potential or exception to good practice. Dean & Draper Insurance Agency specifically disclaims any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations or advice contained herein will make any premises, property or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. Under no circumstances should this material or your acceptance of any recommendations or advice contained herein be construed as establishing the existence or availability of any insurance coverage with Dean & Draper Insurance Agency. By providing this information to you, Dean & Draper Insurance Agency does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you.  The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.

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Sources: New York Times, Medicine Net, Real Simple, Money Talk News, Active Beat.