Stay Cool in the Heat

Well it's - not warm enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk but just hot enough to make it uncomfortable if you're going to be outside for a period of time.

And with Memorial Day parades and events coming up, it would be a good idea - no matter how young you are - to stay comfy.

So here are a few tips to keep on your mental Post-it when you hang out - these come courtesy of MedicineNet and Mayoclinic.com.

• Wear loose-fitting clothing, preferably of a light color. Cotton clothing will keep you cooler than many synthetics. And wear a hat!
• Keep plastic bottles of water in the freezer; grab one when you're ready to go outside. As the ice melts, you'll have a supply of cold water with you.
• Combat dehydration by drinking plenty of water along with sports drinks or other sources of electrolytes.
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol as these will promote dehydration.
• Instead of hot foods, try lighter summer fare including frequent small meals or snacks containing cold fruit or low fat dairy products.
• If you don't have air-conditioning, plan spending parts of the day in a shopping mall, movie theater or other public space that is cool.
• If the heat is intolerable, stay indoors when you can and avoid activities in direct sunlight or on hot asphalt surfaces. Pay special attention to the elderly, infants and anyone with a chronic illness, as they may dehydrate easily and be more susceptible to heat-related illnesses.
• Don't forget your pets - they also need protection from dehydration and heat-related illnesses too. 

Here are a few signs of heat exhaustion, these courtesy of everydayhealth.com:

Heat exhaustion occurs when a person can't sweat enough to cool the body. It generally develops when a person is working or exercising in hot weather, sweats a lot, and does not drink enough liquids to replace those lost fluids. Heat exhaustion can be caused by loss of fluid, or dehydration, or loss of salt or potassium, or electrolytes.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include fatigue, weakness, headache, dizziness, or nausea, and the skin is pale, cool, and moist. Mild heat exhaustion does not cause a decrease in a person's mental alertness, but it may occasionally cause fainting.

Be safe, use common sense and enjoy the weekend!