1.
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin. Reapply at least every two hours—more often if you're swimming or sweating.
3.
Wear protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to further protect against sun exposure and skin cancer and eye damage.
5.
Extreme heat can make you very sick, and older adults are more vulnerable. A few contributing factors: Having chronic conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease; taking certain medications, including diuretics, sedatives and some heart and blood pressu
7.
Heat exhaustion is when your body can no longer cool itself down. If you have symptoms like dizziness, weakness and nausea, rest in a cool place and drink fluids.
9.
Heat stroke is a more serious condition—a medical emergency, in fact. Signs include confusion; fainting; dry, flushed skin; and lack of sweat.
11.
If you don't have air conditioning at home, get to a cooler place during a heat wave. Go to a friend's house, a senior center, a movie theatre or a public library.
13.
You can get dehydrated quickly in hot weather. Drink plenty of water and other fluids, such as sports drinks that contain electrolytes.
15.
Plan to do outdoor activities or run errands in the morning or evening. Stay indoors during the hottest part of the day, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
16.
Use insect repellent containing DEET to keep mosquitoes, ticks and other bugs at bay. Follow directions on the product label for proper use.
17.
Treat bug bites with anti-itch cream like hydrocortisone. Ice packs or an oral antihistamine may also relieve itching, swelling or pain.
