Town Issues Guidelines for Preventing Heat-Related Illness

Editor's note: With summer now upon us, the town of Fairfield issued the following recommendations to avoid heat-related illness.

Your best defense against heat-related illness is prevention. Staying cool and making simple changes in your fluid intake, activities, and clothing during hot weather can help you remain safe and healthy. See a list of six tips to prevent heat related illness below.

Additional tips on preventing heat-related illness are available on the Center for Disease Control website. You can find tip sheets there like: Extreme Heat Prevention Guide, Hot Weather Tips, Heat Stress in the Elderly, Heat Stress for Workers as well as responses to Frequently Asked Questions.

Information on heat exhaustion, heat stroke and recommendations may be found on the American Red Cross Website.

Here are some basic tips from these guides for staying comfortable and safe in the heat:

1) If possible, stay indoors and stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air-conditioning, go to air-conditioned public places such as libraries, the Fairfield Senior Center, a mall or the movies. Even a few hours in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat.

2) Taking a cool shower or bath will help.

3) Drink extra fluids (nonalcoholic) regardless of your activity level. Avoid liquids that contain caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of sugar - these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Very cold drinks may cause stomach cramps. Do not wait until you're thirsty to drink. If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on diuretics (water pills) ask your physician how much you should drink while the weather is hot.

4) Dress for the heat: Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. If you have to go outside, wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher.

5) Check regularly on infants and young children, people 65 or older, people who have a mental illness and those who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure, as they are at higher risk for heat related illness.

6) Never leave a child, a high risk adult or a pet in an unattended car. Even with the windows down, temperatures inside vehicles can rise rapidly and present a danger.

From the town of Fairfield