JULY 2024 EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER Live Well. Work Well. Beat the Summer Heat Summer heat can be more than uncomfortable; it • Heatstroke occurs when your body temperature can threaten your health, especially for older adults reaches 104 F or higher within minutes. The and children. Hot and humid weather can make it person may also become confused or lose more challenging for your body to cool down, consciousness. The condition is the result of leading to heat-related illnesses. If left untreated, untreated heat exhaustion and a serious medical heat-related illnesses can become life-threatening. In emergency that must be treated quickly by a fact, heat-related deaths have been on the rise in the professional. United States. Don’t let the summer get the best of you. Consider these tips to prevent heat-related illness: The CDC reports that heat-related • Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid alcoholic and deaths in the country have been caffeinated beverages (e.g., coffee, tea and soda) increasing, with approximately that can lead to dehydration. 1,602 occurring in 2021, 1,722 in • Eat light, refreshing foods. 2022, and 2,302 in 2023. • Wear lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing. • Apply sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat Exposure to abnormal or prolonged heat and and sunglasses. humidity without relief or adequate fluids can cause • Do chores or other activities in the morning or various heat-related illnesses. Here are some evening. common types of illnesses to keep an eye out for • Stay indoors as much as possible or take breaks this summer: from being outside. • Heat cramps are a mild form of heat illness Remembering these tips can help you beat the heat. consisting of painful muscle cramps and spasms. Contact a doctor if heat-related symptoms don’t These occur during or after intense exercise and improve within an hour and seek immediate medical sweating in high heat, so moving to a cool place attention if the person has heatstroke. to rest and stretch cramped muscles is important. • Heat exhaustion occurs when a person cannot sweat enough to cool the body, usually due to not drinking enough fluids during hot weather. A person suffering from heat exhaustion must move to a cool place and drink plenty of water.