Avoiding Heat Stress in the Summer

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Isaac D. Garden
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Summer can be one of the most festive times of the year. People often enjoy pool parties, barbecues and other outdoor activities. But summertime is also one of the most dangerous times of the year because of the high risk of heat-related injuries.

Exposure to prolonged amounts of heat and humidity without relief or adequate fluid intake can cause various injuries such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and even heatstroke.

"You're going to have different symptoms for heat-related injuries, but typically people start feeling dizzy, they may become disoriented, or they could be sweating profusely," said Leah Beckham, Barksdale Fitness Center Health and Fitness specialist. "Once you start to develop chills, even though your body temperature is really high, that's when it's gotten really bad."

According to the Lucille Packard Children's Hospital website, most heat-related injuries can be prevented by hydrating and taking breaks while exercising or being exposed to the sun. However, if prevention efforts have failed, bystanders should know what to do if someone is suffering from a heat-related injury.

"It's really important for people to know the emergency procedures for heat injuries, such as calling 911, and cooling a person's body down by a sponge bath, spraying them down or laying ice packs under armpits and around the neck," said Beckham.

In the spirit of remaining vigilant while being exposed to the sun, owners should also limit the amount of sun their pets are exposed to. Cats and dogs are also susceptible to heat injuries if left in hot environments for too long. Since animals can't tell someone they are having heat cramps, it's wise to keep a watchful eye on pets during the 101 Critical Days of Summer, according to the Barksdale Veterinary Treatment Facility staff.

"Most often, heat injuries occur when owners over-exercise poorly conditioned pets, leave their pets in an enclosed, parked car, or leave pets outside without access to shade and water," said Dr. Darrin Olson, Barksdale VTF veterinarian. "Animals can experience some of the same heat-related injuries as people, including heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. All animals and people have different susceptibility to heat injury based on their overall physical condition and acclimation to the weather."

Early recognition of heat related injuries can be difficult to identify in animals, he added.

"Drinking lots of water, lying in water, seeking shade and cool surfaces are other signs that an animal is starting to overheat," Olson said. "Unfortunately, the symptoms of heat injury are not often noticed until they are so severe that it is a medical emergency. Such symptoms are seizures, dizziness, coma and death."

Moreover, while being out in the sun may not damage a vehicle as much as a person or an animal, things that are kept in a hot vehicle, such as food, may be impacted by the outside temperature.

"Food sitting out longer than two hours is not safe to eat. That time frame is reduced to one hour if the outside temperature is greater than 90 degrees," said Jennifer Coney, former Barksdale registered dietician. "If traveling with perishable foods, place the food in a cooler and consider packing drinks separately to avoid opening the cooler frequently."

Whether it's a wingman, a child, pets or foods that are out in the sun, take note of the temperature, and remember that prevention goes a long way. For more information on heat safety, visit www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/.