Older citizens, the very young, those with certain recent illnesses and some pets are more susceptible to heat injury than others because of reduced cooling capabilities and lowered tolerance.
The University of Alabama’s Dr. Phil Bishop offers a few tips on how to protect these groups from the hot summer sun.
- Protect your older friends, the very young (toddlers and younger) and dogs (especially long-haired) from exposure to prolonged heat (get outside early and late), sunshine (stay in the shade) and humidity (good luck!) in these hot Alabama summers.
- Gradually adapt to hot weather, taking it slowly with heat exposures increasing gradually over a couple of weeks.
- Swimming pools, sprinklers, slip-n-slides, rivers and lakes provide cool exercise spots for all, but water safety is a MUST!
- Keep exercise and vigorous play bouts short. And, provide a cool recovery site with plenty of tasty cold drinks, and make sure everyone stays hydrated (but don’t go overboard).
- Be on the lookout for any signs of heat injury such as someone who has chills when they shouldn’t or who is confused, nauseous, is vomiting, has stopped sweating, has lost consciousness or otherwise is acting oddly.
- Severe sunburn on anyone is dangerous, and every age needs to wear sunscreen and avoid over-exposure, which can vary greatly even among siblings.
- Keys: make sure they: gradually adapt, avoid extreme heat exposure and drink sufficiently (but don’t over-do it)!
Bishop is an exercise science professor in the kinesiology department of UA’s College of Education.
