Summer Heat Hacks
Contra Costa County will see record highs and triple digits in July 2024 as extreme heat sweeps the world.
Summer 2024 has only just arrived, and it's already been a season of extreme heat here and around the world, prompting health officials and good sense to tell us to find shade, use sunscreen, stay hydrated, and take steps to cool down.
Outside exercise and play are important for mental and physical health, but do so cautiously.
Splash pads are a popular cooling center for the younger set.
Dress lightly in loose-fitting clothes, and recognize the signs of heat stroke: feeling faint, confusion, tiredness, headache, muscle aches, chills, intense thirst, nausea, fever, and rapid breathing.
The hypothalamus, located near the base of the brain, is the body's thermostat. So, a cool towel or ice pack on the back of the neck will reduce the body's over-heated temperature almost immediately.
SPF 30+ sunscreen, SPF lip balm, and wide-brimmed hats are a must in the scorching sun.
When temperatures climb, find cooler, well-air conditioned spaces out of the heat, such as libraries, coffee shops, indoor shopping malls, and movie theaters. And consider taking elderly or vulnerable neighbors with you.
We know it's critical to stay hydrated, but did you know that high-moisture foods count as hydration? Watermelon, honeydew, grapes, strawberries, oranges, cucumbers, and celery, for instance, are packed with water.
High-moisture foods count as hydration.
Sweat causes fluid loss and the loss of electrolytes: essential minerals, such as sodium, calcium and potassium, that are vital to body function. While hydrating, remember to replenish electrolytes, as well, with naturally rich sources of electrolytes, such as prunes, nuts, bananas, and coconut water.
Drink plenty of water, even if you're not thirsty—dehydration is the #1 contributor to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
The New York Times published an enlightening article about What Extreme Heat Does to Your Body (August 2023).
For additional resources, visit Contra Costa County's excellent Heat Health page:
• Extreme Heat (CDC)
• Heat Wave Safety (American Red Cross)
• Heat Illness Prevention (OSHA