CYPRESS — Get ready for more heat this summer.
The National Weather Service’s Houston – Galveston office expects tomorrow to be the first day where the entire area will be over 100 degrees.
Cypress is looking to be around 107 degrees, tomorrow (July 19, 2018).
The weather service predicts that it won’t cool back down until after Aug. 9.
Well, how do you stay cool when you’re not able to kick your feet up in the air conditioning?
There’s a lot of factors at play during a typical Texas summer: lots of sun, heat, and cars that turn into instant-cook ovens.
Car safety
Firstly, whenever you leave your vehicle, ensure that everyone gets out. That’s at work, when you get back home, when you stop at the grocery store, you name it. Check.
Babies and toddlers are biggest victims of being left accidentally in their family members’ cars. Even if you’re in a rush to get to work, do a physical check that you didn’t accidentally forget to drop off your kid at their daycare.
Last year, 43 people died from vehicular heatstroke, according to www.noheatstroke.org. In fact, this year is looking to be a bad one again, as 24 people have already died from the same cause.
Clothing
You’re looking at avoiding everything from sun burns to heat injuries. Choose clothing that protects you from the sun. The worst time to be out in the sun is roughly from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. However, sensitive-skinned individuals can get sun burns in about 35 minutes.
Select your clothing wisely. Wearing tight, restrictive clothing can make your day harder to get through. Choosing loose clothing allows blood to circulate easily and for perspiration to circulate more freely. Wearing loose clothing and a wide-brimmed protects you from the sun and heat.
Take breaks frequently and drink plenty of fluids if you must work during periods of excessive heat.
Fluid intake
Everything starts with water. Here’s some basics about using water to stay cool, pulled from the Army’s Soldier’s Handbook, but with the military jargon reworked for you.
Drink plenty of water before planned outdoor activities (work or play).
Drink only treated water (tap, bottled, etc. Don’t drink from a creek.)
Drink water often. Water should be consumed before, during and after the activity.
Consume water in small sips instead of gulps.
Drink water when not thirsty. Thirst is a sign that you’re already dehydrated.
Drink water slowly to prevent cramps or nausea.
Avoid spilling water. Pouring water on yourself is not as effective as drinking it.
Refill your bottles, or hydration pack, at every opportunity.
Hyponatremia
Conversely, it is possible to drink too much water. And that is a medical emergency.
Hyponatremia, the medical term for water intoxication, is where your body’s electrolytes are out of balance because of too much water. Symptoms include vomiting, seizures, and a high output of clear urine. Severe cases may involve confusion, muscle excitability, convulsions, coma and possibly death.
Additionally, hyponatremia may look like heat exhaustion. When in doubt — regardless — Call 911.
Ways to prevent hyponatremia:
Drink no more than 1 to 1.5 quarts of water per hour.
Daily intake should not exceed 12 quarts of water.
Drink sports drinks (e.g. Gatorade, Powerade, etc.) or electrolyte replacement fluids.
Have a way of tracking how much water you drink every day.
For more information, CamelBak has a series of articles online, available at https://www.camelbak.com/en/hydrated. Here’s government resources on preventing heat-related illnesses, https://phc.amedd.army.mil/topics/discond/hipss/Pages/Heat-Related-Illness-Prevention.aspx, and www.osha.gov/heat.