CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — With record heat in the Coastal Bend this Friday and more to come this weekend, the City of Corpus Christi wants to remind residents about precautions they can take to protect themselves from heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Here are some tips from the Texas Department of State Health Services:
- Never leave anyone, including animals, in a closed, parked vehicle.
- Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid drinks with alcohol, caffeine or a lot of sugar.
- Don't wait until you are thirsty, drink fluids at least 30 minutes before going outside.
- Plan strenuous outdoor activity for early mornings or evenings when it’s cooler.
- Take frequent breaks when working outside.
- Signs and symptoms of heat illness include dizziness, heavy sweating, nausea, headaches, and muscle cramps. If signs and symptoms begin to emerge move to a cooler location, rest a few minutes and slowly drink a cool liquid. Immediately seek medical attention if conditions do not improve and tell someone to observe you
- Eat meals that are well balanced, cool, and light.
- Frequently check on the elderly, the ill, and others who may need help.
- Adjust to the environment. A sudden change in temperature – an early heat wave or travel to a hotter climate – will be stressful to the body. Limit physical activity until you become accustomed to the heat.
- Check with a doctor or pharmacist about the effects of sun and heat when taking prescription medications, especially diuretics or antihistamines.
- Overall, the best defense against heat-related illness is prevention; stay cool, drink plenty of fluids, wear cool clothing and monitor strenuous outdoor activities.
