Heat Safety
What is the easiest way to prevent overheating?
Stay inside!
You should always wear _________ to protect your skin when you go out in the sun.
Sunscreen
It is recommended to apply sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher about 30 minutes before going out in the sun.
If you are outside and see lightning, what is the first thing you should do?
Seek shelter!
True or False? If you can hear lightning, the storm is close enough to you to be considered dangerous.
True! As long as you can hear thunder, lightning is nearby.
WHat are symptoms of heat exhaustion (when you are getting too hot and need to cooldown soon)
Sweating, increased heart rate, skin looking flushed
On a hot day, you should stay hydrated by drinking ____________?
water
tip: it is better to drink room temperature water than really cold water, which can cause stomach cramps
What item can you wear to protect your eyes from the sun?
Sunglasses
True or False? You should avoid bodies of water (pools, rivers, ponds, etc.) during a storm with lightning.
True!
Is it safe for someone to drive or walk over a power line that is down?
No! Avoid any power lines that have fallen
What are the symptoms of heat stroke (when a person has passed "being hot" and is officially "overheating" and should cooldown immediately)?
sweating stops, skin is red & hot, dizziness, confusion, nausea
True or False? On a hot day, it is good to eat hot and heavy meals.
False!
Hot and heavy meals will make your body temperature go higher. On hot days you want to stick to lighter meals that include fruits and vegetables.
How often should you reapply sunscreen?
About every 90 minutes or after going into water!
How many minutes should you wait to leave shelter after seeing a flash of lightning?
30 minutes
Name something that you can do to prepare in case your power goes out during a storm.
Charge your electronics, put new batteries in your flashlights, make sure you have water bottles available, etc.
How can you replace the electrolytes that are lost in sweat? aka rehydrate
Sports drinks can replace some of the salts and minerals that are lost through sweat and help you to rehydrate
During days that are extra hot, should you exercise more or less than usual?
Less! Exercising can increase your risk of overheating.
The sun's rays are strongest between _______am and _____pm, and it is recommended to limit sun exposure during these times.
10am and 4pm
Should you stand under the tallest tree in the area to hide from lightning?
No! Lightning is drawn to higher elevations and is more likely to reach you if you are under the highest tree in the area.
Should you go outside during a storm?
No! You should avoid being outside as much as you can!
Should you wait until you are thirsty to start drinking water?
No! in extreme heat, you should drink water whether you feel thirsty or not.
If you are out in the heat, should you wear clothing that is dark and tight-fitting, or bright-colored and loose-fitting?
bright and loose-fitting
True or False? When you spend long periods of time outside, you should seek shade as often as possible to avoid skin damage.
True!
True or False? Lightning never strikes the same place twice.
False! The Empire State Building has been struck by lightning nearly 50 times!
Name one thing you can do to calm yourself down during a storm.
take deep breaths, listen to music to block out the noise, avoid windows so you can't see the storm, distract yourself with a calming activity like watching a movie or doing a puzzle.
Who is at a higher risk of overheating?
Children, Older adults, pets, people who work outside all day or exercise often, some people with medical conditions, etc.