Whilst we may crave the warmth of the summer sun during cold and rainy days, it is just as important to remember that whilst the summer months bring us plenty of warmth and bloom, it is also associated with high temperatures that may be especially dangerous for older individuals. In this article, we cover some hot weather safety tips to take note of during those blisteringly warm days.
Firstly, how hot is too hot? Typically, you can gauge the temperature with a thermometer but it’s just as easy to check the current temperature by checking the news or on your smartphone. The typical danger level starts at 80°F but it is important to note that other weather factors may contribute to dangerous levels as well. For instance, on humid, windless, days, it may feel many degrees hotter than it actually is. For this reason, it is important to pay close attention to how you yourself are always feeling and take the necessary steps accordingly.
Secondly, what are the risks of hot weather? The primary risk comes from heatstroke (also known as severe hypothermia). Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition that may result in seizures and/or kidney failure. In the event you begin to experience a heat stroke, you must seek medical aid immediately. Some symptoms of heatstroke are as follows:
- Redness of the skin
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Sweating is not always associated with heatstroke
While you must immediately respond to the signs of heatstroke with urgency, there are steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of heatstroke. Here are some tips you should try out to beat the heat:
- Avoid direct sun exposure. If you’re feeling too hot, simply seek shade or head indoors.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol or caffeine. It is best to start drinking before you are thirsty.
- Keep your rooms well-ventilated with fans or air-conditioning. These appliances may jack up electrical bills a little, but it’s well worth it to safeguard your health.
- Wear plenty of sunscreen whilst outdoors to reduce the risk of sunburn. UV rays are also understood to increase the risk of contracting skin cancers.
Why Choose Rittenhouse Village At Lehigh Valley?
At Rittenhouse Village At Lehigh Valley, we do our best to promote the fitness of our residents in a safe and controlled environment. We achieve this in several ways. At all times, our 24/7 team of medical professionals is always ready to assist in the event of unexpected emergencies or to attend to our resident’s health.
We also organize health and fitness classes for all our residents to take part in that are run by fitness professionals. Our dining room also serves healthy, hearty, and delicious meals that take into account the nutritional needs of our residents as well as any dietary restrictions that they may have.
To find out more about Rittenhouse Village At Lehigh Valley, feel free to contact us here to ask us any questions you may have, or request a tour of our community to discover us first-hand!
