5 Tips to Keep You Safe This Summer (2023)

By Theo Anele | April 30, 2019

Summer is the time when we make memories that we’ll remember for a lifetime. Though, sometimes we forget it is also the time we need to remember to take health precautions. Whether inside or outside, the heat that summer brings can lead to eye damage, heat exhaustion, dehydration and more.

Here are fives tips to help not only seniors but the entire family as well:

1. Service Your Air Conditioning and Use it!

Get ahead of the curve and the heat, now is the time to get your air conditioning system serviced and repaired. You don’t want to get caught in the middle of a summer heat wave without A/C. In addition to the danger, repair costs are surely to be higher in the middle of summer due to higher service demands.

Once you’re sure your A/C system is in proper working order, make use of it. Texas is dangerous in the summer due to the weather actually being hotter than the actual displayed temperature because of all the humidity.

If you don’t have an air conditioner, consider purchasing one. If running the air conditioner or buying one is too much of a hefty cost. Consider taking trips to places like a friend’s house, the mall, or the library during the hottest parts of the day.

2. Check the Weather Forecast

It’s easy to jet out of the door when you already have plans scheduled for the day. Howbeit, doing so during the summer can easily place you in an unfavorable situational. Don’t let yourself get caught out in an extreme heat advisory. Checking the weather night before or morning of will arm you with enough information to properly prepare yourself for the day ahead.

In addition, find an app or website that will tell you how the weather will feel with humidity factored in, hourly breakdowns, and advisory notifications.

3. Be Mindful of the Sun:

When heading outdoors it is critical to take heed of protection. First and foremost, definitely wear sunscreen with an SPF suitable to your needs, keep it nearby for consistent application, and buy a water resistant type if you perspire a lot or will be taking part in water involved activities.

Dress for the summer, wear clothing that is loose fitting to allow easy air flow. Sometimes we forget our vision needs protection too since we tend to be hyperfocused on our skin. That being said, wear hats and sunglasses if possible, especially if you will be out during peak Sun hours.

4. Watch for Heat Related Illnesses

Know the signs when it comes to heat related illnesses to keep you and your loved ones safe. The illnesses happen when the body is exceedingly heated past it’s normal temperature. There are various illnesses to look out for but the most dangerous are Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke with the latter being fatal. Symptoms to look out for:

Dry, flushed skin
Nausea and vomiting
Headache
Heavy breathing or a rapid pulse
Profuse sweating
Fainting
Headache
Nausea
Dizziness
Weakness
Irritability
Thirst
Heavy sweating
Elevated body temperature
Decreased urine output

5. Stay Hydrated

Drink plenty of fluids on a consistent basis, don’t wait until you are thirsty. By the time your body is telling you it is thirsty, you are already dehydrated. The key to staying hydrated is to bring a water bottle with you, stay away from sugary drinks like sodas, and aim to drink 6-8 cups of water a day. And if you find that you’re sweating a lot, drink a fruit juice or sports drink to replace the salt and minerals you’re sweating out.

Hire Help

Cooking, cleaning, and running routine errands in the heat can be difficult for seniors, so you might find that hiring a helping hand during the summer months can alleviate some of that stress. In-home health services are also a good option for seniors that don’t have relatives in close living proximity where relocation is not a viable option.

Posted in In Home Senior Care, Senior Resources