Public Health provides hot tips to beat the heat Published June 5, 2015 By 1st Lt. Michelle Rosales 2nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Summer has arrived and temperatures are expected to exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit. To maintain a healthy workforce and prevent heat-related illnesses, the 2nd Bomb Wing Public Health Flight and Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight provide helpful information to beat the heat at Barksdale and continue the mission safely. Stay Hydrated Getting enough water every day is important for your health. Water helps keep your body temperature normal, lubricates and cushions your joints, protects your spinal cord and other sensitive tissues and gets rid of waste through urination, perspiration and bowel movements. To keep your body healthy, it is highly recommended that you drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day and avoid energy drinks and beverages that contain caffeine and alcohol. Limit Your Time Outside If you spend time outdoors, follow appropriate work and rest cycles. The heat condition reflects the level of concern that we should attach to outdoor activities. Red and black flags signify the most dangerous conditions and should be taken seriously. Modify Your Work Environment Having a cool place to work, whether indoors or outdoors, can help reduce your risk of heat-related illnesses. If your work place is hot, turn down the thermostat or use a fan to circulate air. If you work outdoors, take frequent breaks throughout the day and talk with your leadership about modifying outdoor work schedules to work during the coolest parts of the day. Wear the Right Clothes Wearing the right type of clothing can also help you stay cool. If your job permits, wear light-colored cotton clothing outdoors. If your job requires you to wear heavy personal protective equipment, check your heart rate at frequent intervals. Recognize Heat-Related Illness Knowing the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses is an important component for keeping yourself and others safe this summer. Monitor yourself and others for signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses. The following list can help you recognize the symptoms: Heat Rash: Heat rash is a skin irritation caused by excessive sweating during hot and humid weather. It can occur at any age and looks like a red cluster of pimples or small blisters. Heat Cramps: A person who has been exercising or participating in other types of strenuous activity in the heat may develop painful muscle spasms in the arms, legs or abdomen. The body temperature is usually normal and the skin will feel moist and cool, but sweaty. Heat Exhaustion: An illness that can precede heatstroke. Symptoms include heavy sweating, rapid breathing and a fast or weak pulse. Heat Stroke: A life-threatening illness in which body temperature may rise above 106 F in minutes. Symptoms include dry skin, rapid, strong pulse and dizziness. Treat Heat-Related Illness What do you do if you find yourself or someone else with symptoms of heat-related illnesses? 1. Get the person out of the sun and into a cool area. An air-conditioned area is ideal, but moving someone into the shade will also help. 2. Apply water to help the person cool off and apply ice to the neck or armpits, where large blood vessels are close to the surface. 3. Remove any heavy clothing and immerse the body in cool water, either at a swimming pool or in a bathtub. Call 911 for life-threatening heat-stroke emergencies. For questions regarding the information in this article, please contact the 2BW Public Health Flight at 318-456-6599 or Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight at 318-456-6730. Information in this article is provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.