It is no surprise that we have already read news reports about children’s death due to being trapped in cars under extreme heat since June this year. Not only do we need to pay attention to young children and pets riding in the vehicles, we’d also like to look at the preparation for possible extreme heat in the next couple of months or so.
In extreme heat and high humidity, evaporation is slowed and the body must work harder to maintain a normal temperature. Below are some safety tips and recommendations for how you can prepare for extreme heat waves, ensuring you and your family stay safe.
If the weather is extremely hot
- Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun.
- Avoid strenuous work or activities during the warmest part of the day. Use a buddy system when working in extreme heat and take frequent breaks.
- Eat well-balanced, light, and regular meals.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Limit intake of alcoholic beverages and sugary drinks.
- Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight, and light-colored clothes.
- Protect your face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
- Check on co-workers, friends, and neighbors who do not have air conditioning and who spend much of their time alone.
- Watch for signs and signals of: sunburn, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Those most at risk include infants, young children, adults over 65 years of age and those with chronic conditions.
- Protect your skin by using “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” sunscreen.
- Limit outdoor activities to the coolest part of the day, usually before 10am and after 3pm. Rest often in the shade if you are outside.
- Never leave infants, young children, or pets in a hot car.
To prepare for extreme heat, you should
- Install window air conditioners snuggly; insulate if necessary.
- Check air-conditioning ducts for proper insulation.
- Install temporary window reflectors to reflect heat back outside.
- Weather-strip doors and door sills to keep cool air in.
- Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, awnings, or louvers as they can reduce the heat that enters a home by up to 80 percent.
今年六月以來，已經有不止一件的幼兒悶死在高溫汽車内的新聞報導。在極端高溫和高濕度下，蒸發會減慢，身體必須更加努力地工作以保持正常溫度。不但要注意自己和同車幼兒和寵物，也要注意活動環境的隔熱。以下是一些關於如何為極端熱浪做準備的安全提示和建議，以確保您和您的家人安全。
- 盡可能待在室內並限制曝露在陽光下。
- 避免在一天中最熱的時候進行劇烈的工作或活動。在極端高溫下工作時使用夥伴系統，並經常休息。
- 飲食均衡、清淡、規律。
- 喝很多的水。
- 限制酒精飲料和含糖飲料的攝入量。
- 穿著寬鬆、輕便和淺色的衣服。
- 戴一頂寬邊帽，保護您的面部和頭部。
- 檢查沒有空調且大部分時間獨處的同事、朋友和鄰居。
- 注意以下跡象和信號：曬傷、熱痙攣、熱衰竭和中暑。風險最高的人包括嬰兒、幼兒、65 歲以上的成年人和患有慢性病的人。
- 使用“廣譜”或 “UVA/UVB 防護” 的防曬霜保護您的皮膚。
- 將戶外活動限制在一天中最涼爽的時候，通常是上午 10 點之前和下午 3 點之後。如果您在戶外，請經常在陰涼處休息。
- 切勿將嬰兒、幼兒或寵物留在高熱的車中。
為應對極端高溫所做的環境準備包括：
- 安裝窗式空調時做好緊貼； 必要時安裝隔熱物質。
- 檢查空調管道是否做到了隔熱絕緣。
- 安裝臨時窗戶反射物質以將熱氣反射回室外。
- 在門和門檻縫隙裝上密封條，以保持冷空氣留在室内。
- 將早晨或下午被陽光曬到的窗戶用窗簾、遮光板、百葉窗或遮陽篷蓋住，因為它們可以將進入房屋的熱氣減少多達 80%。