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Protecting Yourself From Heat Hazards

19 December 2023

Hot and humid weather can be harmful to older adults. Exhaustion and heat stroke may cause disability and even death. The best protection is prevention: prepare for high temperatures, use protective measures (proper clothes, sunscreen, hat), maintain a proper diet and drink a lot.

Consult your physician in cases of cardiovascular diseases, chronic conditions and obesity, and if you take medications that can increase the body's sensitivity to heat.

Extremely hot and humid weather may endanger the of at-risk populations including the older adults, patients with chronic diseases, people treated with sleeping and anti-stress medications, medications for treatment of the Parkinson's disease and more.

There are different degrees of heat-related injuries:

Heat exhaustion

Heat-related injury may develop after exposure to heat for several days without sufficient water intake. Heat exhaustion symptoms are:

  • Profuse sweating, cold and moist skin.
  • Pallor, dizziness and a tendency to faint.
  • Muscle pain, fatigue, weakness.
  • Headaches.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • Rapid and weak pulse and fast and shallow breathing.
  • Body temperature can be within the normal range.

Heat exhaustion is not life-threatening, but if untreated immediately, the exhaustion may turn into a heat stroke.

Treatment of heat exhaustion: resting in a cool area, wearing loose clothes that do not press on the body, cooling the body (for example, using wet towels), cooling the room or moving to an air-conditioned place, as well as drinking water in small sips.

If there is no improvement, and you even feel your condition worsens, with vomiting, decreased alertness or confusion, you must immediately seek medical help.

Heat stroke

A more serious condition of a heat-related injury that may cause damage to the nervous system and vital systems in the body, disability and even death.

Heat stroke symptoms are:

  • Body temperature higher than 39.5 degrees Celsius.
  • Red, hot and dry skin (without sweating).
  • Rapid pulse.
  • A strong headache and a feeling of "pounding" in the head area.
  • Dizziness.
  • Nausea.
  • Confusion and fogginess or lack of consciousness.

Treatment of heat stroke: first and foremost, an immediate visit to the emergency room. Until the evacuation, it is important to move to a cool and shady place and cool the body with wet towels, but do not drink. Treatment by giving fluids will only be done by the medical team (intravenously).

How to prevent heat-related injuries

You should follow the weather forecast and prepare accordingly.

A state of increased heat is more than a state where the temperature is extremely high. It is important to know: hot weather can be a heat wave, a sequence of at least three days in which there are high temperatures (over 32.2 degrees Celsius) or a heavy heat, which is a combination of extremely high temperatures (over 30 degrees) with a relatively high level of humidity (over 70 percent).

In Israel, heavy heat is a known phenomenon mainly in the Shfela area and the coastal plain. In extreme heat state, it is recommended to consider not going outside if unnecessary.

The hottest hours: it is recommended to not leave the air-conditioned house to the steamy heat during the hottest hours. This is the time to plan the activities outside the home (shopping, running errands, fitness training, social gatherings, etc.) for the early morning or evening hours.

If you have to go outside, use proper clothing and protective measures:

  • Wide–brimmed hat. 
  • Sunglasses.
  • Bright, light and comfortable clothing. 
  • Sunscreen of at least spf 50.
  • When the heat peaks it is advised to rest in an air-conditioned place or a shaded place. 
  • The stay and effort in hot weather should be minimized.
  • It is recommended to reduce strenuous physical activity in hot weather. During physical activity, you must drink a lot, at least 2-4 glasses of water in addition to the recommended daily intake. 

Warning: Do not stay (or leave another person) in a parked vehicle with the windows closed. 

  • During heat peak hours it is recommended to cool the house using air-conditioning or to stay in and air-conditioned public place.
  • Fans can relieve the sense of heat, but when the room temperature is higher than 35 degrees Celsius, they cannot cool the body or protect against damage to health.
  • When heat peaks, it is recommended to close the blinds or curtains, to reduce the penetration of the sunlight, but to keep the house ventilated.
  • Bathing in cool water in the shower or bath helps to cool the body.
  • It is advised to wear bright, light and comfortable clothing.
  • While outside, wear a wide-brimmed hat, wear sunglasses and apply sunscreen.

  • The required drink intake is 8-10 glasses per day, even if you do not feel thirsty. In hot weather, it is recommended to drink a lot of water.
  • It is always better to choose water. Consuming sweetened drinks and drinks containing caffeine and alcohol can cause accelerated dehydration increased thirst.
  • Heavy meals can be a burden and cause sluggishness. When it is hot, it is better to eat light and balanced meals.

Warning: people were advised to limit their fluid intake should consult a physician regarding hydration on hot days.

Populations at risk of heat injuries  

Consult a physician promptly if you or your relative is in any of the following situations: 

  • People with cardiovascular disease, obesity, other chronic disease, mental distress, or suffering severe illness or dehydration. 
  • People treated with medications affecting the main nervous system (brain), including sleeping and anti-stress medications, medications for treating of the Parkinson's disease and certain mental health issues. These medications may increase heat injury sensitivity.
  • Older adults who reside alone.

Taking care of an elderly person? This one is for you

  • To prevent heat-related injuries in older adults, and especially those who live alone, first, you should always visit them, but during a heat wave or heavy heat load, you should visit at least once a day.
  • You should check that the house has suitable means of cooling (air conditioner and fan) and of course turn it on to a level that will ease the heat load.
  • We should encourage older adults to avoid leaving the house during the hot hours if there is no real and urgent need.
  • It is highly important to raise awareness of the importance of drinking in general, and in hot weather in particular. Drinking 8-10 glasses of water a day, along with a diet consisting of light and balanced meals, can ease the situation. You can assist by preparing the food and a pitcher or glasses of water for them that will be always available.
  • Our role is to be alert to abnormal fatigue that characterizes heat strokes and, in general, know the characteristics of dangerous situations (see above).
  • It is important to make sure that the welfare services in older adult's residential area have the personal details of the person we treat (name, address and telephone number), in order to organize regular visits or receive assistance, if needed.