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summer

How To Stay Safe While Traveling During Another Record-Breaking Hot Summer 

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This summer is set to break records yet again when it comes to extremely high temperatures. During peak travel season, experts are giving their best advice on how to stay safe and ensure travelers still enjoy their much deserved vacations. 

A developing El Nino event could cause temperatures to continue to rise this summer, later in the year, and next summer as well. Life-threatening heat exhaustion and stroke are some of the biggest concerns for travelers. 

Dr. Alexander Azan, who co-directs the Project HEATWAVE initiative, discussed how travelers can take precautions to ensure they get the best out of their vacations while staying safe. 

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“The same way that we prepare for more extreme travel in the cold, we should start to consider those tips to keep us safe in the summer months.”

Azan continued to advise that before you leave for your trip, check the air temperatures for both day and night, as well as the heat index as that takes humidity into account. 

It’s important to remain flexible when it comes to your schedule as well. When the temperatures do get to that higher level, prioritize spending time in cooler areas along the coast or at higher elevations depending on where you are. Any strenuous outdoor activities like hiking or walking tours should be scheduled for early morning or late evening hours while indoor activities should be planned for the middle of the day. 

Where you stay is always an integral part of any good trip, so for the hot summer months be sure to find a spot with reliable conditioning and research the area to see if they often get weather that could cause a power outage. If you’re traveling to a country you’ve never been before, research important facilities such as hospitals as well. 

Ashley Ward, the director of the Heat Policy Innovation Hub at Duke University, advises that if you’re someone who has a medical condition or takes medication, be sure to stay extra vigilant in terms of preparing your body, as it could be even more vulnerable to the heat during your travels. 

“A lot of the prescription drugs that we take for common conditions like high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, they actually interrupt our body’s ability to thermoregulate,” she said. 

She also emphasized that older adults, pregnant individuals, young children, and infants are also vulnerable, so plan with your body in mind.

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Adithi Ramakrishnan and Aya Diab of AP recommend packing a reusable water bottle, light/breathable clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, cooling towel, and portable fan as some essentials to keep on your list as well. 

For those opting for a summer road trip, ensure that you get your vehicle inspected a few weeks beforehand to make sure everything is in good condition and your engine’s cooling system is in top tier shape. Keep your car cool by parking in shaded areas and take plenty of breaks to stretch, hydrate, and eat to keep energy levels up. 

AAA senior automotive manager David Bennett also highly recommends never driving on less than a quarter tank of gas to ensure there’s no chane of you getting stuck in the heat in an unknown area. 

 It’s important to also be educated on the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke so if the worst does happen, you can recognize it early and get help quicker. Spending long periods of time outdoors while participating in intense activities or consuming heavy amounts of alcohol can increase the risk as well, so be diligent. 

“People often get into trouble when they ignore both environmental conditions and the warning signals their bodies are giving them. They think they can push through. That is a mistake,” Ward said.

Dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps, excessive sweating with cool and clammy skin are all signs to be on the look out for. If symptoms worsen and turn into slurred speech, passing out, confusion, or feeling hot to the touch, seek help immediately as it could be a sign of heat stroke. 

The most important thing that you can do as a traveler during extreme heat events is to listen to your body and remain as hydrated as possible. 

Small Pets Are At Risk Of Heatstroke As Temperatures Rise

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If you’re a small animal owner, it’s important to remember as we transition into warmer seasons in the coming months that your furry friends are at risk of heat stroke, depending on where you live, their setups, and how easy it is for them to cool down. Animals like rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, ferrets, chinchillas, and others need to be protected from extremely hot and humid environments.

Researchers have said that there needs to be an increase in public awareness of heatstroke, and the risks that different animals have to experiencing it. Climate change is making it even harder for small animals to remain cool during the summer months. 

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The most common symptoms that researchers found across every species include abnormal breathing, lethargy, collapsing, and stomach issues like diarrhea. Caged animals like rabbits, guinea pigs, and ferrets are at risk of heatstroke because of their confinement in their cage set ups. Make sure you have the largest and safest set up for your small animals and allow them to get free time every day to stretch. 

Dr Anne Carter, a researcher at Nottingham Trent University, said: “There is a misconception that heatstroke in pets only relates to dogs in hot cars and we need to do more to raise awareness of risk factors not only for dogs but in the wider pet population.”

“Owners of small animals such as rabbits, ferrets and guinea pigs may need to review their pet’s housing and take steps to keep their pets cool in the warmer months to reduce the risk of heatstroke.”

If you have a flat-faced rabbit, typically lop-ears have flatter faces, it’s important to know that they are more susceptible to heatstroke.

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Emily Hall, a researcher and vet, said: “Heat-related illness can affect all pets and is likely to become more common as global temperatures rise. Our findings highlight the need for better public awareness of heatstroke and the risk to all animals.”

“The fact that brachycephalic [flat-faced] dogs and rabbits were overrepresented in our study suggests that owners of these animals should be particularly vigilant during hot weather.”

The data from the study observed a relatively small number of pet patients, so the researchers made it clear in their findings that the overall figures for heat stroke among small animals, dogs, and cats is likely much higher than any reported numbers. 

Lack of awareness from the owner can be the biggest cause of death from heatstroke. In general, when you commit yourself to an animal, no matter how big or small, it’s important to do the proper research and make sure you’re doing everything you can to keep them comfortable and healthy throughout the warmer months.

Olympics

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Are Going To Be A Hot One…Literally

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As the world prepares itself for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, the city is already taking extra precautions due to a growing concern for the high temperatures Japan is known for in the summer.

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