Flagler Beach, FL - The Flagler Beach Police Department (FBPD) has recently released some hot and humid weather tips for both residents and visitors alike as the beginning of summer quickly approaches.
On June 21, summer officially begins and the hot Florida weather is expected to bring several dangers and challenges to people and their pets. The FBPD reminds that preventing an emergency is the best defense you can have against the hot weather.
The FBPD asks that individuals:
- Drink more fluids unless otherwise stated by your doctor
- Drink nonalcoholic drinks and drinks that are low in sugar as they both result in body fluid loss
- Do not drink anything too cold as it can result in stomach cramps
- Stay inside and in air-conditioning even if that means going to a public place such as a mall or library
- Cool off by taking cold showers or baths and use air conditioning instead of electric fans
- Do not wear dark, tight or heavy clothing
- Never leave a person or an animal in a car with the doors closed
- Check at-risk-adults for symptoms of heat-related illness twice a day and check infants and young children even more frequently
At-risk-adults may be people who are over the age of 65, have a mental illness or those who are physically ill. Those who suffer from high blood pressure or heart disease may be at a higher risk.
The FBPD also has tips for residents and visitors who will be outdoors in the heat, although they recommend that you avoid it if you can. Those tips ask people to:
- Limit activity outside until the morning or evening
- Decrease exercise or drink 2-4 glasses of non-alcoholic fluid every day if you exercise
- Understand that sports drinks replenish salt and minerals after you sweat them out, but to be cautious and ask a doctor if you are on a low-salt diet
- Rest frequently and in the shade
- Wear hats, sunglasses and use broad-spectrum or UVA/UVB protection sunscreen at SPF 15 or greater
The FBPD also points out how important it is to take care of pets and companion animals during hot weather. They ask that you take your animals to the veterinarian before summer starts to get tested for heartworm and to get treatment for parasites if necessary.
Pets should also be given fresh, clean water often as they can quickly dehydrate. You should not over-exercise your animals and you should always make sure they have a shady place to sit. If it gets too hot, you should take them indoors.
Pets that show signs of panting, fast heart or respiratory rate, drooling, weakness, stupor, collapse, seizure, bloody diarrhea, vomit and 104-degree or more body temperature can indicate overheating.
Animals that are old, overweight and have a heart or lung disease should be in air conditioning whenever possible. Pets like Pugs and Persian cats or any pet that has a flat face are some of the most susceptible to overheating as their panting is not as efficient as other animals.
(Hot weather graphic courtesy of the CDC)
More tips on how to be safe in hot weather can be found both
here and
here.
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