Heat Safety
Chapa-De Indian Health Auburn Grass Valley | Medical Clinic
Each season has its own health concerns. Fall brings on colds, winter brings on the flu and spring brings on allergies. As we move into the summer months, it is important to be mindful of the health risks caused by heat. Keep reading for tips on staying healthy in the heat.
Extreme Heat
Extreme Heat is when temperatures reach above 90 degrees and stay there for two to three days. When extreme heat happens, it becomes harder for the body to maintain a normal body temperature. Your body has to work harder to not get too hot, which can lead to death if your body works too hard.
Who is at risk?
We all get hot, but some of our bodies are more likely to be overworked in the case of extreme heat than others. Those who are at greater risk of being affected by the heat are:
- Older adults
- Children
- Sick or overweight people
- Click HERE to read more about who is at risk in extreme heat.
While these groups of people are more likely to suffer medically from extreme heat, anyone can experience symptoms of extreme heat. Please remember:
- Extreme heat can occur quickly and without warning
- Humidity increases the feeling of the heat
Symptoms of heat-related illness
There can be many signs when you are suffering from a heat-related illness. Here are a few:
- Muscle pains or cramps in the stomach, arms or legs
- Exhaustion and weakness
- Heavy sweating
- Vomiting
- Fainting
- High body temperature
- Dizziness
- Click HERE to read more about signs of heat-related illnesses.
How to stay safe in the heat
To stay safe in extreme heat, consider these tips:
- Find places with air conditioning
- Wear sunscreen
- Don’t leave any person or animal alone in a vehicle
- Find shade and wear a hat to protect your face
- Wear loose, lightweight and light-colored clothing
- Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water
- Do not use electric fans when the temperature is higher than 95 degrees
- Click HERE to learn more about how to stay safe in the heat.
One very important part of staying safe in the heat is wearing sunscreen. The ultraviolet light rays that the sun gives off can be very strong and damaging to our skin. When we don’t wear sunscreen, we are overexposed to these rays and our skin can burn. Over time, exposure to these light rays can lead to more serious illnesses like cancer. Sunscreen helps protect against skin damage from the sun. Some of the most important reasons to wear sunscreen are that it:
- Decreases risk of skin cancer
- Keeps your skin looking young
- Evens your skin tone
- Protects all skin types from harmful sun rays
- Click HERE to read more about why it is important to always wear sunscreen.
At Chapa-De, we are here to keep you healthy all year round, including in the summer heat. If you have any questions or concerns about your heat safety or the heat safety of a loved one, please call our Auburn location at (530) 887-2810 or our Grass Valley location at (530) 477-8545 or visit us online at chapa-de.org.
PASSIONATE PEOPLE. COMPASSIONATE CARE.
Chapa-De provides medical care, dental care, optometry, behavioral health, pharmacy services and much more.
Serving all American Indian, Low Income and Limited Income Community
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Chapa-De Indian Healthcare Auburn Grass Valley