If you're going to be outdoors
>> Drink plenty of water, at least two or three glasses, spaced out, before heading outside.
>> While outdoors, drink water every 15 or 20 minutes. Generally speaking, water is the best fluid for hydration.
>> Avoid caffeine, alcohol and drinks with lots of sugar.
>> Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothes, preferably made of breathable fabric.
>> If you're going to be sweating a lot, wear clothing made of high-tech athletic fabric that draws the sweat away from your body.
>> Wear a hat with a wide brim all the way around. Ball caps protect only the front of your head.
>> Wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15.
>> Wear sunglasses that protect against ultraviolet A and B rays. Even on cloudy days, those harmful rays can hurt your eyes.
If you're at home
>> If you have an air conditioner, turn it on. Cooling a single room with a window unit consumes only about $1.50 a day in electricity.
>> If you don't have an air conditioner, go to a cooled, public place, such as a library, a mall or a Salvation Army cooling station.
>> Close your blinds and drapes during the day to keep hot air out, then open your house at night to release the hot air in your home and draw in cool air from outdoors.
>> Turn off lights and electronics; avoid using the oven or stove during the hottest part of the day.
>> Use a dehumidifier to take moisture out of the air.
>> Use a fan to bring cool air indoors and remove hot air from a room. Do not use fans in closed rooms and do not point the fan at your body when the temperature exceeds 95 degrees — doing so will increase your temperature.
>> Do not leave a child, pet or other creature in a parked vehicle.
Sources: University of Nebraska Medical Center, Salvation Army, National Safety Council.
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