Beat the Heat with These Helpful Safety Tips
Posted August 13th, 2019
This year, many areas of the country have already been dealing with abnormally high heat. High temperatures can be fatal. Hundreds of people die from heat-related conditions each and every year, and many more are sickened by the high temperatures. The vast majority of these deaths and illnesses are completely preventable.
By taking the proper precautions, it is possible to stay safe during the warmest months of the year. Here are some safety tips that can help you beat the heat.
Stay Hydrated
Dehydration can be incredibly dangerous and even deadly. In order to stay healthy, you need to maintain a proper level of hydration, and you need to be proactive about it.
Regularly sip on cool water throughout the day, even if you aren’t feeling thirsty at the time. You should also watch out for the early signs of dehydration, like headaches, fatigue, and trouble concentrating. If any of those symptoms develop, you could be in an early stage of dehydration.
If you are experiencing muscle cramps, you are likely already dehydrated, but it still early enough to intervene. Drink additional fluids, such as water or low-calorie sports drinks (for added electrolytes), and try to find a cool place to take a break.
Head to Cooler Places
Keeping yourself in a temperature-controlled environment, especially during the hottest part of the day, can help you avoid heat-related injuries. Ideally, you want to spend time in an air-conditioned space when possible.
However, if that isn’t an option, find shaded areas to avoid being directly in sunlight and use fans to cool the air headed in your direction. While this may not be enough if you are experiencing extremely high temperatures, it can help in less extreme situations. Just make sure you take breaks in air-conditioned spaces whenever possible to give yourself a chance to cool down.
Dress Properly
During warm weather, opt for lightweight clothing, preferably made of breathable materials like cotton. Also, select lighter-colored attire, as light colors don’t absorb as much heat as darker ones.
While it may seem counterintuitive, lightweight sleeves and long pants can actually be a better choice than shorts or sleeveless shirts when you are outdoors. The fabric keeps the sunlight from hitting your skin directly, which can help you avoid a sunburn or other exposure-related conditions that could harm you.
Pace Yourself
If you do need to work outdoors or in non-temperature-controlled spaces, try to handle your less physically demanding tasks during the hottest hours of the day. Whenever possible, avoid rushing or exerting yourself any more than necessary, as that can lead to an increase in the amount of strain your body experiences and can raise your body temperature.
As you work, monitor how you are feeling. If you begin to tire quickly or start struggling, try to slow your pace. You may also want to speak with your manager about what you are experiencing to see if they can have you change tasks until the temperature begins to fall.
By following the safety tips above, you can be safe during the hot summer months. If you’d like to learn more, the staff at Bayside Solutions can help. Contact us to speak with a member of our skilled team today and see how our workplace safety expertise can benefit you.
