Staying Safe in Summer

The heat in Australia is a topic of conversation around the world, from jokes to serious climate debate. As the much-debated heat approaches, it’s important to remember that while jokes are great, the heat’s impact on our bodies is no joke. With links to the rise in heatstroke and other heat related conditions, being educated about how you can stay safe is essential. Listed below are some tips on being safe in the heat this summer

Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated is an essential part of ensuring that you do not let the hot weather overcome you. You should drink water even when you do not feel thirsty because while you may not be feeling the effects of dehydration, your body could be slowly becoming dehydrated. The need to stay hydrated could be accomplished by always keeping a water bottle with you at all times.

Use Sunscreen

Your skin is the first layer of defence for your body. This means that protection and care of the skin is equivalent to the protection and care of your body. When skin is exposed to sunlight directly, it can become sunburnt which damages your cells and vessels. Sunscreen allows you to enjoy the sun while helping your body to defend itself against dangerous skin cancers and other sun exposure related conditions.

Cover up

The most important part of staying safe is to avoid the damage that the sun can cause. While detecting early signs of damage can be helpful, not allowing the sun to damage your body is the best way of ensuring you stay healthy. This means that surviving summer unscathed can be completed by covering up from the suns rays. Covering up can be accomplished by using glasses, hats and long clothes which provide a barrier between your skin and the sun.

Keep cool

Keeping cool throughout the summer ensures that the body does not overheat. While the weather cannot be changed, there are a few means of keeping cool which can help the body in its attempts not to overheat. Two methods which can provide relief to the body is wearing lightweight fabrics and taking advantage of the available air-condition when possible.

Avoid heavy activity-stick to cooler parts of the day

While summer itself is an intense season in Australia, there are actions which can further enhance the negative effects of sun. Completing heavy physical activity or keeping yourself in the sun for a prolonged period allows the sun more time to demolish the skin’s resistance to its effects. This means limiting physical activity or simply completing tasks in cooler times of the day could be a method which would help you cope with the sun’s rays more effectively.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a heat related condition or you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at A2Z Medical Centre on 9758 9848.