Are You Staying Cool in the Summer Heat? | AFC Urgent Care of East Tennessee
The team at AFC Urgent Care TN knows that the beautiful weather outside during the summer can tempt us to spend hours outdoors. But are you taking the precautions needed to stay safe in the summer heat? Read on for some tips on handling these hot summer days.
Keep Your Cool
We’ve made it to the hottest part of the year. Are you setting yourself and your family up for success? Ask yourself these questions to see if you’re prepared to handle the heat.
Are you drinking enough water throughout the day? Every person’s needs for water intake are different. The best way to ensure you’re staying hydrated is to take a look at the color of your urine. If it’s pale yellow or clear, you’re hydrated. If it’s darker, you need to drink more fluids.
Is your air conditioning working properly? If it’s been awhile, you might want to have a professional come out to perform a maintenance check on your AC unit to ensure it’s ready to tackle the rest of the summer season.
If you answered yes to both of those questions, then you’re off to a great start in remaining cool this summer. But there are still things you can do to keep safe in the summer heat.
First, try to avoid going outdoors during the hottest hours of the day. The sun’s UV rays are most intense between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., so it’s best to stay indoors in the cool during those hours.
Second, when working outside, take steps to protect your skin and your health. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to all exposed areas of the skin at least a half hour before going outdoors. Then be sure to reapply at least every two hours while outdoors, or more often if sweating or swimming. If you’re outdoors working or exercising, wear loose, light-colored clothing to help you stay cool—and top off your outfit with a broad-brimmed hat that covers your face, neck and ears. While outside, it’s particularly important to listen to your body. If it wants you to stop and rest, do it! It might be a sign your body is overheated and needs to cool down.
Finally, if you or your kids are participating in summer sports, schedule games and practices early in the morning or later in the evening. This will help avoid the hottest hours of the day and limit the risk of heat-related illness.
Do you feel as though the heat is getting the best of your health this summer? Visit the AFC Urgent Care TN website to find our location closest to you. We’re open seven days a week, and no appointment is necessary.