If you live alone, check in with family and friends to let them know you are okay.
If you do not have air conditioning go to a cooling center, mall, movie theater, or visit a friend of family member who has air conditioning.
Drink plenty of water, even if you aren’t feeling thirsty. Avoid drinks with alcohol, caffeine or added sugar.
Eat fruits with high water content such as watermelon, pineapple, grapes, strawberries, peaches, apples or pears.
Avoid exposure to indoor temperatures of 85° or above for extended periods of time.
Limit use of the stove or oven to keep indoor temperatures down, and avoid eating hot, spicy or heavy foods.
Wear loose-fitting clothing in natural fabrics such as cotton. Dress in light colors that will reflect the sun and heat rather than darker colors that will attract them.
Take a cool bath or shower to lower your core body temperature on extremely hot days. Warning signs of heat illness include a body temperature of over 103°, dry and red skin with no sweating, rapid pulse, headache, dizziness, confusion and nausea. If you or someone you know have these warning signs, seek medical attention immediately.
What has happened to us ? My widowed grandmother with a kitchen hand pump and an outhouse in her 90's worked outside all day in the heat then came in and cooked and canned and sat up half the night knitting Ukrainian Lace. Her only vices hand rolled ciggies and what she called Adam's Aid....water with apple cider vinegar.
ReplyDeleteThe key was the apple cider!! This is a common denominator in a lot of the elderly people I've had the pleasure to know in my life
DeleteI was once in Vegas during 110 degree temps. I found the fastest, easiest way to cool off is to upend a gallon of cold water on oneself. Definitely feels nice in weather so hot it felt like a solid, invisible wall of heat.
ReplyDelete