How To Stay Cool

With temperatures expected to remain high over the next week, McHenry County Department of Health reminds residents of important health tips to ensure time spent outdoors is safe and comfortable.

Here are some tips to stay cool –

Always wear light-weight clothing that has plenty of ventilation (the fabric should “breathe”). Stay well hydrated (consume an abundance of liquids in the summer). Be sure to provide pets with water and shade when outside as well.

Exercise or schedule other strenuous activities when the heat and humidity are lowest, (early morning and late evenings).

Rest in cool, shady places frequently. If you’re hot, go cool down – get indoors, drink cool liquids, enjoy the air conditioning for a few minutes, or take a cold shower.

Watch out for those at greatest risk – very young children, persons with health conditions like the elderly, pets. Young children should never be left in cars, even for short periods of time.  Certain medications may also put you at greater risk of heat-related illnesses so be aware of how medications may interact with the heat.

During periods of extreme heat and humidity, residents should be on the lookout for these potential risk factors –

Dehydration — Dehydration occurs when more water leaves the body that you put back in. Stay well hydrated throughout the day and drink extra fluids when exercising or simply being outdoors on hot days.

Heat exhaustion — Symptoms may include: headaches, weak pulse, rapid pulse, excessive sweating, dizziness, and in some instances fainting, clammy skin, chills, cold, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps or very fast or very shallow breathing. If you suspect you have heat exhaustion, take action immediately to cool down. If possible, immerse yourself in cool water.

Heat stroke — Unlike heat exhaustion, victims of heat stroke have warm skin that is dry to the touch because they’ve sweated out all their extra water leaving the body’s natural cooling system without a key cool-down mechanism. High fever, severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, and a strong, rapid pulse all accompany heat stroke. Victims may become confused and can lose consciousness. Heat stroke is a very serious condition. Cool the victim; seek medical assistance.

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