How to Stay Safe During the Heatwave?

Heatwave

Stay safe during the heatwave is essential, especially if you don’t go out much, and severe heat waves may lead to heat stroke.

Heatwave is a period of hot weather, which refers to high humidity, and makes the heat feel more intense and uncomfortable.

It may occur for several days or weeks and affect both urban and rural areas, but rural is low in temperature due to trees.

On the other hand, in Urban areas buildings, roads and cars are increasing the heat, and cars pollution, and fewer trees increase the heat.

Due to heat waves most of the cities in India suffered from several economic losses, several health issues, and even leads to death (1)

Heat Waves mostly affect outdoor people, especially poor people or who have to get out from home to work in this extreme heat.

So It becomes important to take precautions before going outside because it leads to heat stroke in extreme heat cases.

If you experience dizziness, dehydration, seeing a black covering in front of your eyes, or headache, then consult your doctor.

So in this topic, we will describe what to do and don’t do, how to stay safe during the heatwave, and what can we do to decrease heatwave.

Do and Don’t Things

Here are some do and don’t which include:

Do Things

• Use sunscreen SPF 50, and SPF +++, if you are going outside
• stay hydrated
• eat onion, cucumber which prevents heatwaves (2)
• wear light and comfortable clothes
• if you outside then find cooler spots like moles, public buildings, and banks, where you can stay for some time.
• use an umbrella and hat to avoid the sun’s UV rays
• while travelling, make sure to carry water and sunscreen with you
• check weather forecast
• keep yourself cool through lassi, curd, coconut, and lemon water, which will help you to gain electrolytes again.

If you see any sign of dehydration, headache, or dizziness, then it may be a heating issue, or may another health sign, so talk to your doctor.

Don’t Things

• Avoid alcohol, coffee, and tea, especially before going outside because it worse the situation and leads to severe dehydration
• if you are going to the pool, then use sunscreen because on the water your skin is more prone to tanning.
• avoid chappals, and use shoes
• don’t wear light-coloured clothes
• limit your eat fatty, excessive high-protein because it may increase your inner heat
• do not leave children, older adults, and pets in parked vehicles and outside the home

Take home-made cooling things like use:

• Apply aloe vera
• cucumber
• apply a damp cloth, which allows your body to heal fast after dehydration and skin tanning.

If you are affected by sun tanning, then consult your doctor, which will recommend you some medications, and creams.

You can also use home remedies here are some:

Face mask or body scrub

• Take 1 big spoon of Gram flour or Besan, then add 1 big spoon of Curd.
• then add a little Turmeric, now add 1 tbsp, of honey, and add 1/2 tbsp of sandalwood powder.
• now add 1 tbsp of rose water or add more water for a body scrub
• mix it until a paste-like consistency
• applies the mixture over the tanned areas, and massage in a circular motion.
• leave it for about 20-30 minutes
• In the end, wash it off with cool tap water, and you will see the difference in one wash.

High-Risk Groups

Children, pets, and older adults are more at risk of heat stroke, or heat exhaustion which may become a severe issue.

However, there are some other like:

• Pregnant and breastfeeding women, who need more water than normal adults
• individuals with illness or suffer from diseases
• if you are on medications

Going outside with these individuals keep them hydrated, find a cool spot, bring an umbrella, and take other precautions.

If you see any abnormality and discomfort then it may be a heat exhaustion sign, so consult your doctor.

How to Stay Safe During the Heatwave?

If it is compulsory to go outside or your work does not allow you to avoid this extreme heat so this way you can cope with the heatwave.

Here are some ways to stay safe during the heatwave include:

Stay hydrated

Drinking enough water and other liquids is vital, especially if you spend time outside throughout the day.

The Institute of Medicine recommends that women drink no less than 72 ounces (2 litres) of water a day (3)

Moreover, pregnant women and breastfeeding women require more water, and children need less water than adults.

Wear Comfortable Clothes

Tight and uncomfortable clothes make the situation worse, so make sure to wear loose, and light clothes (4)

Loose and light clothes (wear cotton and avoid nicotine-made clothes) allow you to breathe correctly, which helps the body to stay cool.

Stay cool

If your nature is hotter than others, then you have to spend more time on cooler, ac, and fans to circulate air.

You have to stay cool from the inside, to achieve this do meditation, do yoga, eat yogurt, and other cold foods.

Limit outdoor activities

If your work is not allowed to work from home, then you have to stay hydrated, take frequent breaks and avoid daytime activities.

keep your children and pets inside, especially from 10 am morning to afternoon 4 pm, when sunlight is high (5)

Protect yourself from the sun

UV rays from the sun can also damage the skin and hair, so make sure to use:

• Sunscreen like SPF 50
• wear sunglasses, full sleeves clothes, and an umbrella
• avoid sun time, especially 10 am to 4 pm
• keep drinking water

This will also help you to prevent sun tanning, which will reduce the risk of other several health issues like sunburn.

Babies and older people are more at risk of illness, due to heat so avoid daytime activities, ensure they are hydrated, and keep yourself cool.

Check the weather forecast

Before going to travel make sure to check the weather forecast, and for any sign of extreme heat then avoid going outside.

If your work does not allow you to work from home, you should take precautions like avoiding daytime going, keeping hydrated, etc.

Take a shower

During extreme heat, take 2 times a shower, if you have pets then you should give a bath to them also (6)

But this is not a permanent solution, so make sure to stay hydrated, even at home.

Down Line

Keep you hydrated with water and other beverages, avoid daytime roaming, and wear comfortable and light clothes.

If you see a person that affects by a heat wave, then find a cool spot, hydrate them, and call for a medical emergency.

Heatwaves may lead to several health issues like headache, dizziness, dehydration, and skin illness, especially in children and older adults.

If you experience any uncomfortable, like stomach issues, skin rashes, etc, then consult your healthcare provider.