The Accomac Office of the Virginia Department of Health would like to remind everyone as temperatures continue to remain extremely high, the Eastern Shore Health District advises citizens to protect themselves by keeping cool and using common sense.
It is important to drink plenty of fluids, wear light weight, light colored, loose fitting clothing, put on sunscreen when outdoors, limit outdoor activities to morning and evening hours, rest often, stay cool indoors if possible, check on family members and neighbors and to monitor yourself and others for heat exhaustion.
Heat exhaustion is a mild form of heat-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids. Those most prone to heat exhaustion are elderly people, people with high blood pressure and people working or exercising in a hot environment.
Warning signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, fainting, cool or moist skin, pulse rate that is fast and weak and breathing that is fast and shallow.
If heat exhaustion is untreated, it may progress to a heat stroke. Seek medical attention immediately if symptoms are severe or the victim has heart problems or high blood pressure. Otherwise, help the victim to cool off and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or last longer than one hour.
And PLEASE DON'T FORGET-- As you go about your day, trying to keep cool in these record breaking temperatures, remember kindly your animals that are outside. They NEED to be cool also! DON'T leave them unattended in your vehicle for any amount of time.
An empty soda bottle filled with water and frozen makes a wonderful toy for dogs.
Think about it: Would you want to sit in a hot car with the windows rolled up and wait???
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