Preventing Heat Related Illness
The hot, dry temperatures in the summer can be very dangerous for anyone, but young children and elderly are especially vulnerable to heat exposure.  To avoid heat-related illness practice the following safety tips:

Always ensure that everyone in your family is hydrated before, during, and after activities during hot weather. The best time to consume fluids is before you are thirsty -- by the time you are thirsty, your body is already dehydrated.  Avoid drinks containing caffeine or alcohol while in the sun or heat.  The best drink to consume is water or one of the many flavored sports drinks available.

  Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration

• Dry lips and tongue.
• Headache.
• Weakness, dizziness, or extreme fatigue.
• Concentrated urine that appears darker than normal.
• Nausea.
• Muscle cramps.

If a person has any or all of the symptoms listed above, stop any activity and get them to a cool location.  Have them rest with their legs elevated and drink cool beverages such as water or sports drinks.  Anytime a person who has been exposed to heat becomes disoriented or unconscious, immediate medical attention for that person must be sought by calling 911.

The best way to prevent sunburn is to stay out of the sun completely. That, however, may not be realistic given that we average about 211 days of sun and about 85 days of partial clouds in Tucson.  You can protect yourself and your family from overexposure with the following tips:

Use a sun block with a SPF of 15 or greater. An ounce of sun block will effectively cover your entire body.
Apply sun block at least 15 to 30 minutes before venturing out into the sun and re-apply at least every two hours especially if you have been swimming or perspiring.
Use sun blocks with higher SPF’s on areas that need extra protection like the tip of your nose, your ears, the tops of your feet, and your shoulders.
Do not use sun block on your lips. Instead, use only sun protection products designed specifically for lips.
Limit outdoor activities between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Play golf, lay in the sun, swim, etc., in the early morning or late afternoon.
Be aware of the sun risks even on cloudy days. Clouds and particulate matter in the air scatter sunlight. You can still burn even on a cloudy day.
Wear a good pair of sunglasses and some kind of protection -- the looser the better -- on your head.
Protect your children. Keep them from excessive sun exposure when the sun is strongest and apply sunscreen liberally and frequently to children 6 months of age and older.
Do not use sunscreen on children under 6 months of age. Parents with children under 6 months of age should strictly limit their children's sun exposure.