Warning: Heat Wave

soilrockslove:

… in Arizona going on right now.

So today it was above 110 F  – which is hot even for us.  Seriously, when I go outside today, the heat feels like a physical blow and I can feel my breathing change.    We are used to dealing with heat, but extremes like this can still be dangerous and even a risk to life.

This heat may continue for at least the next two days.

And some areas tend to get even hotter than here!  I’m worried for Yuma, as I can only imagine what the temperature is now.  Or Phoenix with the godawful urban heat island effect.

~

So here’s some tips for dealing with desert heat that I know – please feel free to add more:

– First: An easy way to stay cool is to stay inside cooled buildings!  If your house doesn’t have appropriate cooling, libraries and malls are both nice air-conditioned places you can go for free. 

– If you have elderly or ill neighbors that you think might not have appropriate cooling – think about checking up on them too.  Some illnesses and medications make people more susceptible to heat.

– Drink stuff!  Taking little sips often is more effective than draining a big glass all at once.  The second way you just pee most of it out, your body doesn’t like that sort of rapid change.  But the most important thing is to DRINK SOMETHING.  Exactly what or how you drink it matters less.

– Water is good!  But sometimes it might not sit well in your stomach.  If your stomach doesn’t feel good, try drinking something that ISN’T ice cold, or switching your plain water for some juice, gatorade, or carbonated beverages.  Not everyone can handle ice water (especially when their stomach is nauseous from dehydration), but that doesn’t mean you have to deal with being dehydrated.

– Speaking of gatorade – with your water, you’ll want to get some salts/electrolytes too.  So try drinking some gatorade or juice.  Or eating fruits and the occasional salty snack.  You sweat out salts too, not just water.  Replacing them will help you feel better.

– Signs of dehydration can be nausea, light-headedness, dizziness, headache, sensory weirdness, confusion, and generally feeling bad.  If you feel any of these things, check in whether you have been drinking enough and keeping cool.  If your pulse starts to get faint or your heartbeat gets fast, or if you stop sweating, this can be a sign of dangerous heat stroke.

– Wear lightweight clothing in light colors if possible.  Cotton and silk are great for keeping you cool.  Synthetics not so much (except for those fancy ones used for sports but not everyone has the $ for that).  Avoid things like nylon – it traps the sweat next to your skin and you will roast.

– Experiment with long sleeves and hats!  Keeping the sun off you can help keep you cool.

– And speaking of sun… To stay cool, stay in the shade.

– And also, remember that plants and pets will also be affected by the heat and need extra shade/water/etc.  Don’t forget about them, please.

Please signal boost!

Hope everyone stays safe!