Medical expert shares advice on staying safe in summer's heat

Health experts say it's important to ensure safety as people head outdoors and the weather heats up.

News 12 Staff

Jul 5, 2020, 6:45 PM

Updated 1,527 days ago

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Health experts say it's important to ensure safety as people head outdoors and the weather heats up.
Whether one is exercising, swimming or doing other outdoor activities, cardiologist Dr. Lawrence Phillips advises to be mindful of a few things while out in the summer heat.
Phillips says that as the temperatures rise and one is outside for long periods, a person is at risk if having heat-related issues, which is why staying hydrated is important.
Phillips says that because the heat makes one more likely to sweat, one has to replace that fluid back into the body. Not being hydrated enough can lead to issues like heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
He warns that if one notices that they are becoming dehydrated, nauseous or if the body is not responding appropriately to the heat, one should drink more fluids, get out from under the sun, and if the symptoms are serious, to call 911.
Now that people are wearing face masks, Phillips warns that one may not drink as much as one would normally would without them, so he wants everyone to be careful and to ensure that they are staying hydrated.
"As everybody's outside wearing a mask, we know that people are less likely to be drinking at the same time because they have to take off the mask, so you have to be even extra careful to make sure that you're hydrated and drinking enough fluids throughout the day," Phillips says.
For those who go outdoors, Phillips also advises to wear sunscreen to avoid sunburn along with staying hydrated.