Summer is Hot

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Many of us look forward to summer for the opportunities to get outdoors. Too much outdoors can hurt in certain situations. Aside from stormy weather and lightning, summer weather hazards are too much ultra violet radiation from the sun, too much heat and humidity, and poor air quality.

If you don't spend a lot of time outdoors then your body is not acclimated to high heat and humidity. You need to be extra careful. People taking prescription drugs, tranquilizers and diuretics have an increased risk of heat-related illness. In extreme heat situations everyone needs to remember basic safety. The Mobile County Health Department says too much heat can lead to sunstroke, heat cramps, or heat exhaustion. Heatstroke is possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity. The elderly are more at risk for heat-related problems. MCHD has these tips for you...

Preventing heat-related injuries

Drink more fluids regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Warning: If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask how much you should drink while the weather is hot.
Do not drink liquids that contain caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of sugar. They actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks because they can cause stomach cramps.
Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to a shopping mall or public library. Even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat.
Electric fans may provide comfort; but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Take a cool shower or bath. Moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.
Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
Never leave children (or anyone else) or pets in a closed, parked vehicle.
Visit adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Infants and young children need more frequent watching.

If you must be out in the heat

Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.
Cut down on exercise. If you must exercise, drink two to four glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids each
hour. A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat. Warning: If you are on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage.
Try to rest often in shady areas.
Protect yourself from the sun by wearing sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat. Also, put sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (the most effective products say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” on their labels).

Heat Index Charts from NOAA

The heat index (sometimes called the apparent temperature, or "feels like" temperature) is a measure of the contribution that high temperature and high humidity (expressed either as relative humidity (RH) or dew point temperature) make in reducing the body's ability to cool itself. The table below estimates the heat index. The heat index (HI) is a measure of how hot it really feels when the affects of humidity are added to high temperature. Note: Exposure to full sunshine can increase HI values by up to 15° F

Heat Index between 90° F and 104° F	sunstroke, heat cramps or heat exhaustion are possible with prolonged exposure and physical activity
Heat Index between 105° F and 129° F	sunstroke, heat cramps, or heat exhaustion is likely and heatstroke is possible
Heat Index of 130° or higher	heatstroke or sunstroke occur quickly

**Heat Index Chart (Temperature & Dew point)**
Dewpoint ° F	Temperature ° F
Dewpoint ° F	90	91	92	93	94	95	96	97	98	99	100	101	102	103	104	105
65	94	95	96	97	98	100	101	102	103	104	106	107	108	109	110	112
66	94	95	97	98	99	100	101	103	104	105	106	108	109	110	111	112
67	95	96	97	98	100	101	102	103	105	106	107	108	110	111	112	113
68	95	97	98	99	100	102	103	104	105	107	108	109	110	112	113	114
69	96	97	99	100	101	103	104	105	106	108	109	110	111	113	114	115
70	97	98	99	101	102	103	105	106	107	109	110	111	112	114	115	116
71	98	99	100	102	103	104	106	107	108	109	111	112	113	115	116	117
72	98	100	101	103	104	105	107	108	109	111	112	113	114	116	117	118
73	99	101	102	103	105	106	108	109	110	112	113	114	116	117	118	119
74	100	102	103	104	106	107	109	110	111	113	114	115	117	118	119	121
75	101	103	104	106	107	108	110	111	113	114	115	117	118	119	121	122
76	102	104	105	107	108	110	111	112	114	115	117	118	119	121	122	123
77	103	105	106	108	109	111	112	114	115	117	118	119	121	122	124	125
78	105	106	108	109	111	112	114	115	117	118	119	121	122	124	125	126
79	106	107	109	111	112	114	115	117	118	120	121	122	124	125	127	128
80	107	109	110	112	114	115	117	118	120	121	123	124	126	127	128	130
81	109	110	112	114	115	117	118	120	121	123	124	126	127	129	130	132
82	110	112	114	115	117	118	120	122	123	125	126	128	129	131	132	133

**Heat Index Chart (Temperature & Relative Humidity)**
RH %	Temperature ° F
RH %	90	91	92	93	94	95	96	97	98	99	100	101	102	103	104	105
90	119	123	128	132	137	141	146	152
85	115	119	123	127	132	136	141	145	150
80	112	115	119	123	127	131	135	140	144	149
75	109	112	115	119	122	126	130	134	138	143	147
70	106	109	112	115	118	122	125	129	133	137	141	145
65	103	106	108	111	114	117	121	124	127	131	135	139	143
60	100	103	105	108	111	114	116	120	123	126	129	133	136	140
55	98	100	103	105	107	110	113	115	118	121	124	127	131	134	137
50	96	98	100	102	104	107	109	112	114	117	119	122	125	128	131	135
45	94	96	98	100	102	104	106	108	110	113	115	118	120	123	126	129
40	92	94	96	97	99	101	103	105	107	109	111	113	116	118	121	123
35	91	92	94	95	97	98	100	102	104	106	107	109	112	114	116	118
30	89	90	92	93	95	96	98	99	101	102	104	106	108	110	112	114

Check out the National Weather Service Heat Wave website for a lot more information on summer heat safety. Calculate the Heat Index using either dew point or relative humidity. Heat affects all living creatures. Find more safety rules from the Alabama Department of Health.