Heatwave Survival, part 2

4.) Make extensive use of fans to circulate the air in your home to reduce heat stress and lower your electrical consumption which may help to prevent a power blackout.

Attic fans, box fans, and even hand-held portable fans can all be used to effectively radiate heat away from your body and the inside of your home. At night when the temperatures are generally cooler, opening windows can be used along with fans to help cool your environment. Curtains, blinds and reflective coatings on windows can also be used to keep the temperatures cooler inside your home.

5.) Use the cooling effects of water to help keep your body from being stressed by the heat.

A wet towel on your head or a wet bandanna around your neck will create a "cooling" effect on your body. You could even take a cold shower!

6.) Stay indoors or find a shady spot outdoors, if at all possible, and avoid direct exposure to the sun's heat.

Sometimes beating the heat is a simple matter of avoiding excess exposure to direct sunlight by finding a shady spot under a tree or staying inside until the evening hours when temperatures are generally cooler.

7.) If you do have to be outdoors, take plenty of breaks and drink plenty of fluids.

You may need to get out of the sun a while simply to give your body a chance to cool down naturally by itself using its own built-in cooling mechanisms.

8.) Wear loose fitting and light-colored clothing to help keep your body cool.

Your body needs to be able to radiate heat away from itself and tight or restrictive clothing may hamper this process. Dark colored clothing will also absorb additional heat.

9.) Be aware of special needs that require additional precautions to keep everyone safe.

Always notify your utility company if there is someone on a life support system that requires power. Heat waves may cause frequent rolling blackouts. If there is a planned loss of power to your area you can then take steps to provide emergency generator power or move them to a hospital if necessary until the heat wave is no longer a threat.

10.) Learn basic first aid and be able to recognize heat-related illnesses.

You will also need to be able to recognize the different symptoms of heat-related illnesses which create a real emergency situation during a heat wave that are caused by heat rash, heat cramps, heat exhaustion or heat stroke and be prepared to call emergency services (911) in the event of a heat-related emergency. Work to help cool the person suffering from a heat-related illness until help can arrive.

You can check out the devastating effects of some of the more severe heat waves in the U.S. here.

[From: Stealth Survival]