Outdoor Safety
- Stay hydrated! Whether you feel thirsty or not, drink plenty of water to avoid becoming dehydrated, especially when hiking.
- Wear Sunscreen: Sunburn affects your body’s ability to cool down and can make you dehydrated. If you must go outdoors, protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes prior to going out. Continue to reapply it according to the package directions.
- Never leave infants, children, or pets in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked open.
- Act quickly if a heat illness is suspected. Seek medical attention immediately for any of these warning signs: cramping, rapid pulse, heavy sweating, hot red skin, dizziness, confusion, nausea, vomiting.
- Keep a wet towel or bandana on the back of your neck to help you stay cool.
- Wear light-colored and loose clothing.
- Wear a wide brim sun hat to shield your face and neck from the sun as much as possible, while sunglasses should also be worn to help protect your eyes.
Pace Yourself: Cut down on exercise during the heat. If you’re not accustomed to working or exercising in a hot environment, start slowly and pick up the pace gradually. If exertion in the heat makes your heart pound and leaves you gasping for breath, STOP all activity. Get into a cool area or into the shade, and rest, especially if you become lightheaded, confused, weak, or faint.
Eat light. Choose easy-to-digest foods such as fruit or salads. If you pack food, put it in a cooler or carry an ice pack. Meat and dairy products can spoil quickly in hot weather.
