We all enjoy the hot days of summer, but you need to take care on days of extreme temperatures. The combination of high heat, high humidity, and other conditions can be hazardous to your health.

Are you at risk? Hot weather can be a risk for people who:

• Work or exercise vigorously outdoors
• Are aged 65 or older, infants, and young children
• Take medications or have chronic heart or lung disease
• Have risk factors such as obesity, fever, dehydration, poor circulation, and sunburn

Protect your Health 

People suffer heat-related illness when their bodies are unable to cool properly. The body normally cools itself by sweating, but sometimes this is not enough. In these cases, a person's body temperature rises quickly. Very high body temperatures can damage the brain or other vital organs. If you supervise children, be aware of the risks.

Here's how to avoid heat-related illness:

Drink plenty of fluids

• Water is your best choice.
• Choose drinks that do not contain alcohol, caffeine, or high amounts of sugar—they can cause you to lose body fluid.
• Avoid very cold drinks because they can cause stomach cramps.

Stay cool indoors

• Keep your shades drawn and blinds closed.
• Use your stove and oven less often.
• Spend a few hours at a library, gallery, mall or other building that is kept cool during the day, if you don't have air conditioning at home.
• Use fans in or next to your window. Remember that fans alone may not provide enough cooling.
• Keep electric lights off or turned-down low.
• Take a cool bath, shower periodically, or cool down with wet towels.
• Rest as much as possible.

Dress lightly

• Wear loose-fitting, light-coloured clothes, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat.
• Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and an SPF lip balm.

Plan your day

• Limit outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.
• Schedule your heaviest work during the coolest part of the day, if you're working outside.
• Spend time where it is cooler, such as the lake or waterfront.
• Reschedule your sports activities and jogging time. Ask for policies that allow sports events to be rescheduled during extreme heat.

Pace yourself

• Rest frequently in the shade to allow your body to cool.
• Consult your doctor or pharmacist about side effects of medications

Be a buddy

• Monitor the condition of your co-workers and have someone monitor you.
• Check on family, friends, and neighbours who are vulnerable at least twice a day.

Use common sense

• Do not leave infants, children, or pets in a parked car.
• Limit the time your pet spends outdoors. Provide plenty of fresh water and leave the water in a shady area.

Know when to get help

Even short periods of high temperatures may cause serious health problems. Get medical attention immediately for:

• Rapid breathing
• Weakness or fainting
• Headache and/or confusion
• Nausea, dizziness, blurred vision
• Convulsions, high body temperature

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