Safety Counts: Are You Ready for the August Heat?
What are your plans for this August? Do they include staying cool? Well the Raleigh accident lawyers here at Riddle & Brantley want to make sure you are staying cool as the hottest month of the year rolls around. And if you thought July was hot, August might be getting ready to surprise you.
Safety Counts: Beware the August Heat!
Heat indexes are starting to regularly hit the 100-degree mark, and North Carolina is having problems handling these extreme conditions. From July 9th to the 15th, 373 people were rushed to local emergency rooms for heat related illnesses, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
Most of these patients were men between the ages of 25 and 44, and authorities say most were working outside or participating in an outdoor activity. Doctors want North Carolinians to remember, if you plan to spend time outside, drink lots of water. Consuming alcohol can accelerate dehydration, so you should also be careful about what you drink while you’re at outdoor events. You should also be extra careful if you have a health condition like diabetes, which could also make you more sensitive to the heat.
During this time of the year, heat related illnesses spike, so don’t contribute to the problem by leaving pets or children in hot cars. Vehicles can heat up in a very short amount of time, and children are especially sensitive to the effects of high heat. Symptoms for heat related illnesses include: cramps, dizziness, fainting, fatigue, Headaches and Nausea. If you or a loved one experience these symptoms, get out of direct sunlight and into a cool area. If symptoms persist, head to the hospital immediately.