Some tips from Henry Mayo Hospital to keep you cool during hot times

With the weather turning hot in the Santa Clarita Valley, Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital offers the following tips to residents on how to stay cool during the upcoming hot days.

“As the weather heats up, there are a few simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones,” said Dr. Bud Lawrence, an Emergency Room physician at Henry Mayo. “Following these steps will help ensure a person’s safety, and lessen the likelihood of someone suffering from heat exhaustion.”

Among the things a person should do to stay safe during hot days include:

• Avoid physical or strenuous physical activity during the hottest part of the day, typically between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Such activity should be limited to morning and late afternoon hours.

• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of liquid, preferably cold water or electrolyte beverages such as Gatorade.

• Wear loose fitting clothes of light color to reflect sun light.

• Wear sunscreen of SPF 30 or above to protect your skin.

• It’s advisable to check on the elderly to make sure they are safe and sound, and to ensure they’re not staying in an overheated apartment or home with a malfunctioned air-conditioner, Dr. Lawrence noted.

[view:node_ad=5]In some cases, a person exposed to excessive heat or sun exposure may suffer from heat exhaustion. “Symptoms include feeling weak, dizzy and nauseous, and a person may actually pass out,” Dr. Lawrence said. “If that’s the case, immediately get that person to a cool place and provide cool fluids. You may also wet the person down with water to cool him/her down. If there’s any concern about the possibility of a person’s condition worsening, then bring them to the Emergency Room.”