Tips to beat the summer heat.

 As wonderful as the Australian Summer can be, sometimes the heat can be exhausting, especially if there’s no escape. Not all of us can afford air conditioned houses, which means that we need to start getting creative about cooling down!
here are some ideas for you and your family to beat the summer heat;

• Drink plenty, even it your not thirsty.
• Dress in light-weight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• Go shopping or to the movies.
• Keep the shades drawn.
• If there is a breeze, get a cross breeze by opening 2 windows on either side of a room or house, get the breeze going form one window to the other.
• Visit the local pool, or the beach, but be sun smart!
• Install celing fans, they cost very little per hour to run.
• Eat light. Avoid hot, heavy meals and opt for foods high in water content: fruits, salads and soups.
• Take baths and showers. Because water conducts heat away from the body, bathing in tepid water is a good cooling technique.

Watch out for heat exhaustion:
Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

Body temperature usually normal or only slightly elevated.

• Dry mouth.
• Fatigue, weakness.
• Dizziness.
• Headache.
• Nausea, sometimes vomiting.
• Weak and rapid pulse.
• Sweating.
• Cool, clammy, pale skin.

Treatments for heat exhaustion:

• Get out of the sun and into a cool place.
• Drink more fluids (electrolyte sports drinks may help), but don't drink too fast or you could become nauseous.
• Eat salty snacks.
• Rest.
• Loosen clothing.

Be aware that heat stroke can come after heat exhaustion, but it can also develop quickly and independently if one's core body temperature rises too high.
Symptoms of heat stroke include:

• Very high body temperature
• Hot, dry, red skin.
• No sweating.
• Disorientation, hallucinations, delirium
• Rapid breathing and fast pulse, then slow breathing and weak pulse.
• Convulsions.
• Loss of consciousness.

NOTE: Symptoms can come on quickly.
Heat stroke can occur within 10 - 15 minutes of the first symptoms. If treatment is not given immediately, permanent damage can occur to internal organs.



Immediate care for a heat stroke victim includes:

• Move person to cool place indoors or in the shade outdoors.
• Lower body temperature as soon as possible.
• Remove clothing and wrap person in a wet sheet, or wet their cotton clothing.
• Fan person with electric fan or manually (do not place wet items too close to electric fan).
• Place ice packs or cold compresses on the neck, under armpits, and in the groin area.
• If child is unconscious, carefully place them in cool water up to their neck.
• If child is conscious, try to get them to drink cool water, slowly.
• Person may not be able to drink if delirious (do not force them).

Heat stroke can be fatal, call 000 or get to the hospital as soon as possible!