Summer is not always pleasant. It can drain individuals of energy to one or two times beyond their normal levels, and at times also has the potential to cause dehydration to a fatal degree. Excess heat causes unusually hot days, a phenomenon commonly referred to as a heat wave.
The risks of a heat wave are not limited to human health but also extend to the economy, causing drought, wildfires, power outages, and agricultural losses. In order to protect human lives from the fatalities of heat waves, the WHO has enlisted certain measures.
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To stay safe:
- Avoid going outside and doing strenuous activity during the hottest time of day.
- Stay in the shade. Remember that perceived temperatures in the sun can be 10โ15หC higher.
- Spend 2โ3 hours during the day in a cool place.
- Stay informed about official heat warnings.
- Keep your home cool
- Keep your body cool and hydrated
- Use light and loose-fitting clothing and bed linens.
- Take cool showers or baths.
- Regularly check in with vulnerable people in your circle โ especially people over 65 years old and those with heart, lung or kidney conditions, a disability, and living alone.
Keeping Infants safe:
- Never leave children or animals in parked vehicles for any amount of time, as temperatures can quickly become dangerously high.
- Avoid direct exposure to the sun during peak hours, seeking shade or staying indoors instead. Shade can reduce how hot you feel by more than 10 ยฐC.
- Never cover an infant stroller / pram with dry fabric โ this makes it hotter inside the carriage. Instead, use a wet, thin cloth and re-wet as necessary to lower the temperature. Combine with a portable fan for even greater cooling.
- Dress children in lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that covers their skin, and use wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses and sunscreen to protect them from the sunโs rays.
Governments in the GCC have also established regulations on worker exposure to heat. In Saudi Arabia, outdoor work is prohibited from 12:00 to 15:00 during the period from 15 June to 15 September each year.
Similarly, the midday work ban policy is also enforced in the UAE from 15 June to 15 September, restricting outdoor work between 12:30 and 15:00. This policy is issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).
If you encounter a victim of heat stroke, immediately call for a medical help and try to cool the individual through available means until the help is reached. Heat stroke is serious case of emergency and so rush for medical aid if you find some one feel faint, dizzy or nauseous, stop sweating, or lose consciousness.
