By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
How to Stay Safe During the Heat Wave
- Keep Your Home Cool: Close curtains or blinds during the day to block out heat. Open windows at night to let in cooler air. Use fans, air conditioners, or cooling devices if available.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink water regularly before feeling thirsty. Carry a water bottle when going out. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and sugary drinks, as they cause dehydration.
- Dress for the Heat: Wear light, loose-fitting clothes made of cotton or linen. Use cotton bed sheets to stay cool while sleeping.
- Limit Outdoor Activities: Stay indoors between 11 AM and 4 PM, when temperatures are highest. If you must go outside, seek shade, wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Avoid intense physical activities in the sun.
- Watch Out for Symptoms: Check for dizziness, confusion, nausea, or rapid heartbeat—these could indicate heat-related illness. Seek medical help immediately if you or someone else experiences severe symptoms.
- Carry A Portable Hand-fan: A portable hand fan can be a lifesaver during extreme heat, especially when you’re outdoors. It helps improve airflow and keeps you cool in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces.
Who is Most at Risk?
- Infants and children – Their bodies struggle to regulate temperature.
- Pregnant women – Dehydration can lead to complications like low birth weight, early labor, and stillbirth.
- Elderly individuals – They are more prone to heatstroke and dehydration.
- People with chronic illnesses – Heat stress worsens conditions like hypertension and asthma.
How the Heat Wave Can Affect Your Health
- Dehydration Symptoms: Thirst, dry mouth, reduced urine output.
- Heat Exhaustion Symptoms: Dizziness, headache, muscle cramps, weakness, fatigue
- Heatstroke (A Medical Emergency) Symptoms: High body temperature, confusion, rapid heartbeat, breathing difficulty, unconsciousness.
- Meningitis and Skin Infections: The hot, dry season increases the risk of meningitis, which affects the brain and spinal cord. Heat can also cause heat rashes, fungal infections, and sunburn.
- Worsening of Existing Health Conditions: People with diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, or respiratory issues are at a higher risk of complications during extreme heat.
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