Heatwave to push temperatures beyond 40 Celsius-What to do?
High temperatures are to be expected in the coming days, reaching up to 42 degrees Celsius on Friday and Saturday, according to National Meteorological Service (EMY) forecasts.
How to Beat the Heat
There’s a lot to do when the weather is right: family picnics, a homerun derby on the softball field, endless hours on the golf course, or lounging in your backyard hammock.
However, too much fun in the sun can be dangerous. Excessive heat exposure can cause dehydration. Dehydration, in turn, can cause dangerous conditions, such as:
heat cramps
heat exhaustion
heat stroke, which is also called sunstroke
Combating the toll of the heat and sun on your body will keep you healthy and active all summer long. Try a few of these simple precautions, and you’ll still be going strong as the leaves start to turn.
What to wear in the heat
The way you dress can go a long way toward keeping you comfortable when you’re outside in the heat. Make sure you bring the following items:
The right type of clothing
A loose white linen shirt isn’t just fashionably conscious — it’s also intelligent for hot, sunny days. Dark clothing absorbs more heat, and tight clothes don’t let sweat — your body’s natural cooling system — evaporate.
Cotton is another good fabric to opt for in the heat.
Choose light colors over darker ones if your primary goal is staying cool.
Sun-protective clothing
There’s a difference between the type of clothing that keeps you cool in the heat and the type of clothing that keeps you protected from ultraviolet (UV) rays.
If protection from the sun is your goal, choose dark or bright colors instead of white or pastels. They absorb more heat, which prevents the rays from penetrating your skin.
Dry clothes are more protective than wet clothes. Tightly woven clothes, or synthetic fibers, such as polyester and rayon, provide more sun protection than loosely woven clothes.
You can even take it one step further and invest in sun-protective clothing. Sun-protective fabric uses special dyes and chemicals to block harmful UV rays.
Sun-protective items, like clothing, are given an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) rating based on how much UV radiation they allow to penetrate the skin.
If a product has a UPF of 15, around 6.7 percent (or 1/15) of the sun’s rays will reach you.
A UPF rating of 15 is generally considered good. However, an item must have a UPF of at least 30 to receive the Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses are chic and functional. They prevent UV rays from scorching your corneas and will protect your eyes for many more summers to come.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, you should pick sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays.
Hats
A hat is a smart and practical summer fashion choice. Throwing on a wide-brimmed hat prevents UV rays from hitting the sensitive spots on your face, and it keeps your skin looking wrinkle-free.
The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that brims and brills be at least 3 inches wide (or 2.5 inches for babies and toddlers).
Sunscreen
Nothing knocks good days off a summer calendar like a nasty sunburn. When outdoors, use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. Use a higher-rated, waterproof sunscreen if you’ll be poolside or out on the beach.
Some ingredients that may be particularly effective against sun damage and burns include:
avobenzone
ecamsule
oxybenzone
titanium dioxide
Don’t forget to cover areas that burn easily: the nose, ears, shoulders, and back of the neck.
