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Jun 28, 2019

7 Tips for Heat Safety in the Summer

For many, the arrival of warmer days are a welcome occurrence. Especially for seniors, the higher temperatures of summer months call for a more precautionary approach. That’s why we’ve put together a list of essential summer heat safety tips to help you enjoy happy and healthy days all season long.

Hydration is key

Senior woman drinking refreshing water from a bottle.

To avoid dehydration, it’s essential to drink plenty of water throughout the day – not just after you’ve become thirsty. Consider also that water alone may not be enough to replace the electrolytes and other nutrients older adults lose more quickly than their younger counterparts. When spending time in the summer heat, you should also keep sports drinks handy to more effectively restore your electrolyte balance.

Dress for success

When it comes to heat safety tips, a change in your wardrobe may seem obvious, but picking the right items from your closet can make a major impact. Be sure to choose breathable fabrics and utilize lighter layers that can help you better adjust to rising outdoor temperatures, while still allowing you to be comfortable once you make your way back to cooler air-conditioned spaces.

Don’t forget the SPF

Set of sunscreens. Cream, oil and spray. Isolated on white background

Sun exposure can accelerate overheating. When you know you’re going to be outside, applying sunscreen beforehand is an essential first step in protecting against the harmful effects of the more intense summer sunshine. Along those same lines, don’t forget to protect your eyes and scalp by wearing sunglasses and a hat whenever you head out.

Make a plan

From lining up transportation to knowing when and where you can take a break and beat the heat, it’s important to have a plan whenever you’re going out and about during the summer months. A key to heat illness prevention is managing your time outside. On days where heat and UV indexes reach dangerous levels, it may be best to find activities that keep you out of the sun entirely.

Keep in touch

Senior woman speaking on the phone

Whether it’s with a friend or a loved one, sharing your plans can help keep you safe. And along with letting others know what you’re up to in advance, ensuring you have the ability to reach out in a moment of need is critically important.

Be mindful of medical conditions

Along with age itself, certain health conditions and associated medications can put seniors at an increased risk when exposed to hotter weather. As temperatures rise, it’s always important to consult with your physician or other caregivers about heat safety tips that you need to be specifically cognizant of in order to avoid complications.

Know the signs of heat-related illness

The maladies that can result from overexposure to high temperatures are known as hyperthermia. While both heat exhaustion and heat stroke fall into this category, the latter is something that requires immediate medical attention. Heat exhaustion, which can be accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, cramping and swelling, is a warning sign from your body that you shouldn’t ignore. To dive deeper into the most significant risk factors for older adults and how to spot the signs of hyperthermia, we recommend reading the National Institute on Aging’s guide to heat illness prevention.