On beating the heat

With Lowcounty heat indices expected to soar to more than 110 degrees, you’re likely to be staying inside to keep out of the oppressive weather.

Here are some tips to consider to try to keep cool:

Stay inside. Try to keep indoors as much as possible with good ventilation. Keep comfortable without air-conditioning by spritzing your skin periodically with a mist of cool water. Also, block out windows that get lots of sun to keep heat out. At night, open windows and run fans. Take cold showers. Dress in loose-fitting clothes. Try not to use your stove or oven.
Stay hydrated. Drink even when you’re not thirsty, experts say. You can also eat fruits that have water in them. Put ice cubes in your water bottle. (But avoid salty foods and hot soups.) Make sure to hydrate before you go to bed. Remember: Caffeine and alcohol dehydrate you, so you might want to stay away from them while the temperatures are blistering.
Monitor your body. Watch for heat exhaustion, which the C.D.C. says can include heavy sweating, cold and clammy skin, a weak pulse, nausea, cramps and more. If you experience symptoms, lie down, sip water, loosen clothes and even take a cool bath. You may need to seek medical attention if it worsens or your body temperature rises too high. Avoid strenuous exercise.

Check on loved ones to make sure they’re doing OK in the heat.
Contact emergency responders if your body temperature gets out of control – above 104 degrees – as you may be suffering from heat stroke, which is life-threatening.
If you feel faint, lie down in a cool area and raise your legs above your head.
Eat lighter meals.
Avoid outdoor activities.
Never leave a pet or child alone in a car – even if you think you’ll be gone for “just a few minutes” and keep the car air-conditioning running.

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