Our weather has warmed due to human caused climate change. Many of us want to continue our outdoor activities like hiking, nature study, tree identification, birding, wildlife observation, environmental education, etc. How do we continue these activities when elevated or summer temperatures occur the year round? Here are tips to keep you safe during hot weather we now experience almost all year.
1. First, educate and lobby for climate change laws that reduce, eliminate, or safely store climate change air pollution. If we release climate change air pollution, the outdoors will be hotter. There is a lag time between the release of climate change air pollution and the heat that comes from this, so we are in for more heat in the future.
2. Your safety is the number one personal goal. If you can’t justify an enjoyable day outdoors when it’s hot, don’t go. The first word for protection of yourself is knowledge followed by prevention. Know your body and capabilities. Don’t assume things will be OK or will be the way they used to be. They won’t and aren’t!
As you age your body can’t take the heat like it used to. Be aware of this and factor your age and physical condition into your planning when you want to spend time outdoors.
3. Plan for your outdoor trip! Bring a map and your cell phone (cell phones can be lost, broken, run low on battery power, or have no or low service). Allow plenty of time (2 miles per hour) to complete your walk. Don’t hike in the hottest part of the day and make sure you have access to plenty of shade.
Take rest stops so you can cool down and recover from the heat. Stay out of the direct sunlight as much as possible. Whenever possible, go with someone, so that if something happens you have a buddy to help you.
4. Bring plenty of liquids (water and electrolyte drinks) and drink, drink, drink. Bring at least 3 quarts of water and one electrolyte drink for a 3 to 4-mile hike.
5. Wear loose-fitting clothes that keep you cool. Light colored clothes are better than dark colored clothes. Wear a hat that protects your face. Use sunglasses and wet bandanas to protect your eyes and cool you down. A long-sleeved shirt can protect you from UV rays.
6. Use sunscreen to protect you from the sun’s rays. Look at weather forecasts which give you UV prediction for the day (like extreme). Pay attention to those UV predictions.
7. Bring healthy, high energy, snacks to resupply your body with the nourishment it needs.
Salty snacks help you recover salt lost from sweating.
8. Learn and recognize the symptoms of over-heating and how to treat them. Don’t take chances. Shorten your visit or activity time to ensure that you don’t overheat.
9. Enjoy your time outdoors but do so safely.