While many people know the dangers associated with heat stroke, they mistakenly believe that it can only strike after excessive outdoor physical exertion on a hot day. This is false. Heat stroke can strike anywhere, even in the comfort of one’s own home. The elderly, the young, and the sick are most susceptible, but even healthy adults can get heat stroke indoors.
Use Your AC Unit
The best way to combat heat stroke is with an effective central air conditioning system. Unlike other air conditioning solutions, central air cools every room of your home. This ensures that you never face unhealthy temperatures while indoors.
Even the best air conditioner requires regular maintenance, and you cannot afford to discover that your system has broken down in the brutally hot summer months. Regular inspections by a leading HVAC contractor are the best way to ensure your system is in working order. The relationship will also prove valuable should your unit require repairs, which should always be professionally performed by a skilled air conditioning specialist.
It is also important to leave your air conditioner on, even if you are leaving for a little while. Should heat stroke begin to set in while you are out and about, you need to immediately seek a cooler environment to restore your body temperature to normal. Waiting for an air conditioner to cool a hot home is simply a luxury you may not have time for.
Symptoms Of Heat Stroke
It is helpful to know the symptoms of heat stroke so you know when to retreat back to your air conditioned home. The most common signs of trouble are:
- feelings of nausea
- feeling lightheaded
- a headache
- breathing difficulty
- chest pain
- a rapid heart rate
Should you feel any of these symptoms, you should immediately go into your air conditioned home and rest. Your health is more important than whatever you were doing.
You should always follow common sense safety precautions, even if your air conditioner is on and performing well. Do not overexert yourself during summer’s warmest months, especially if you are particularly susceptible to heat stroke. Make sure to stay hydrated, bearing in mind that dehydration is already beginning to set in when you start to feel thirsty. Try to grow accustomed to sipping water throughout the day, preventing any chance of dehydration becoming a problem.
Wearing appropriate attire is also a great way to reduce the risk of heat stroke. Light clothing is a must, as heavier options may trap sweat and prevent your body from cooling itself off. You should also choose bright clothing that reflects most of the sun’s intense rays away from you, rather than darker clothing that absorbs heat. If you are going to be outside for any length of time on a hot day, wear a wide brimmed hat to give yourself some shade. Every little bit helps!
Air conditioning is not a luxury, but a necessity to combat the unhealthy effects of heat stroke and dehydration. Always leave it running so you have an oasis immediately available if you begin to feel heat stroke symptoms. Other common sense solutions, such as light; bright clothing, are also essential complements to an effective air conditioning system. You and your family can safely beat the heat if you follow these steps.
Not only does tuning up your air conditioner reduce the chances of experiencing indoor heat stroke but it also gives you respite from the heat if you were to start feeling ill from being outdoors. An additional benefit is that it reduces your home cooling costs. When you feel like you are experiencing heat stroke symptoms, don’t ignore them and be sure to cool yourself off immediately.
Keep your HVAC system running efficiently so that you can eliminate the chance of experiencing indoor heat stroke by contacting Charity Oil today. Contact us today or give us a call at (845) 470-1000 if you have any questions.