COLUMBUS, Ohio — As the temperatures ramp up, it’s important to keep the health and safety of yourself and others in mind.
High temperatures pose the risk of illness for everyone, but some people are at a higher risk than others. Those groups include young children, the elderly, those who are overweight and those who have chronic medical conditions.
How to keep kids safe in the heat
Dr. Ryan Squier, an emergency room physician at Riverside Methodist Hospital, said the best time to be outside with your kids is around 6 or 7 in the morning or closer to sunset.
Squier said kids are the most vulnerable to the heat because their bodies don’t cool as quickly as adults.
He said parents should be mindful while taking their kids outside -- that means limiting time outside to 30 minutes to an hour for young children.
Squier said you should regularly check on your child, especially if they are in a stroller by giving them lots of water, providing them with as much shade as possible, adding baby-safe fans to your stroller and taking regular breaks.
“You want to make sure they are as covered and shaded as possible. There are instances when the visor should be up and over the stroller, so the baby is protected in the shade,” said Squier.
Exercising safely in the heat
Despite the hot and humid weather, a lot of people are still outside exercising.
Squier said to avoid the extreme heat times for working out, which is from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. He said to be mindful of your running, so realize you may not be able to run as far as you normally do because of the heat.
“Ultimately it's overexerting yourself and it’s going to raise your body temperature because it can't cool down like it normally does when you perspire and that is when people get heat-related injuries,” said Squier.
David Babner, with MS3 Sports, said a lot of people are preparing for marathons and half-marathons during the summer, but he said that doesn’t mean you have to run outside.
He recommends trying a treadmill, and if you do run outside, then wear light clothes and hydrate before and after your workout.
“I know people are following training schedules to get ready for the half in August, but be smart, use common sense. If you can, run with other people so you are watching out for everybody,” said Babner.
Keeping your car cool
The heat could have a negative effect on your car.
Luke Walker, the owner of Luke’s Auto, said it’s a busy time of year for their shop because of the hot weather.
Walker said one thing you can do to keep your car cool is hit the re-circulation button in your car so your car uses cool air inside to recirculate instead of the hot air outside. Walker said it's never a bad idea to get your car battery, cooling system and AC system checked before it gets even warmer.
“On all systems of your car, they are going to be under more stress during either temperature extremes of hot or cold,” said Walker.
Columbus Public Health reminds residents of other ways to stay healthy and safe in hot weather:
- Drink plenty of water. Do not wait until you are thirsty.
- Stay in air conditioning whenever possible. If you do not have an air conditioner, use movie theaters, malls, libraries and other public places that are cool.
- Avoid beverages with alcohol, caffeine and sugar because they will dehydrate you.
- Eat light meals.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
- Avoid strenuous activities and limit them to morning and evening hours.
- Learn the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses and how to treat them.
- Check on family members, friends and neighbors.
- Never leave people or pets in a closed car.