Ironmate - Mark Kleanthous

How to cope in a heat wave?
When an heat wave is forecast it can cause extreme temperature changes. Water supplies and power to both be put under strain and expect shortages.
When the temperature rises make sure your stress levels do not not rise as well.
It does not matter if the weather forecast expects a heat wave or you are going on holiday and expect to experience hotter temperatures the stress placed on the body is still the same.
It can take 21 days to acclimatise to temperature changes. The body needs time to adapt to sweating more and losing and replacing lost salts that occur when the body is exposed to hotter temperatures.
It is a shock to the body when we experience temperature changes of even 3-6 degrees from the previous day.
Un treated water can be harmful to health so drink bottled natural mineral water or treated water that has a sealed cap, this avoids unscrupulous vendors selling you local tap water that may not have been treated. This water may be harmless to the locals but may give you an upset stomach. Pasteurised fruit juice or non-alcoholic beer is another option.
Avoid ice cubes in foreign countries as this is likely to be un treated tap water that has been frozen.
Bacteria in untreated water is invisible and may be tasteless, a litre of untreated water may contain 10 million solid particles, but look crystal clear even though it can contain hundreds of thousands of bacteria micro organism’s parasites & viruses.
Protect the skin & eyes from the harmful suns rays.
Exposure to the suns rays can increase the risk of melanoma and other skin cancers.
Use the strongest sunscreen possible even if you plan on being in the shade.
Wear quality sun glasses that protect the powerful suns rays
How to stay cool in a heat wave?
Stay out of the mid day sun usually the suns rays and heat is strongest from 11- to 3 pm however check the local forecast as it can be hotter or the suns ways can be more powerful at different times due to reduced cloud cover etc.
Going out in the heat of the day & exposed to the sun?
Have a fan to keep air moving while at home.
Keep sipping drinks to help you keep cool and avoid dehydration.
Have a cool shower before you leave home & allow plenty of time avoid rushing about which can cause you to become hot.
Drink before you leave home and take plenty of fluid with you.
Eat
Choose cold foods like salads fruit and cold drinks.
Add salt to your foods because extra sweating results in more salt lost.
Eat Low fat meat & Cold soups
Snack on salty foods that will help you be thirsty and find drinking more volume much easier.
Wear
Cover your body with white or light coloured clothing made from natural fabrics (cotton) including a hat to reflect the suns rays from the sun which can prevent or delay heat stroke to the head.
Make sure you button up the neck.
Mistakes to avoid
Drinking just water can flush out vital electrolytes that the body needs to function in heat waves.
Avoid wearing a t shirt if you can wear a shirt and wear trousers rather than shorts.
Use long socks rather than no socks or short socks
keep the back of your neck covered an area than can easily become burnt.
Drink
Aim to drink at least 1 litre more than normal.
If you drink a large amount all in one go then expect the body to excrete what it cannot hold, your urine may be clear which does not mean you may not become dehydrated later.
Avoid
High fat foods
Avoid Large amounts of food at one sitting instead have small amounts on a more regular basis.
Avoid pure fruit juice instead dilute it with 50% water (50% fruit juice 50% water).
If you must drink wine then drink the same quantity of water during the same period.
Take a dip in the water but do not forget to get into the water slowly for 10 minutes for every 20 minutes in the heat.
Never swim after within 3 hours of eating a large meal or drinking alcohol as cramping or cardiac arrest or drowning may occur.
Others
The young and elderly are not as well adapted to cope with extreme environmental conditions.
Benefits of the sun
Vitamin D is produced by the body form the natural suns rays. This vital vitamin has been shown to be a factor against tumours, however avoid allowing your skin to get burnt.
Use your common sense if in doubt ask someone more experienced than you about the local environmental conditions and how best to cope with the climate.

There are 4 levels of heat wave each one is caterogorsied as a level and colour.
Level 1 – GREEN
Normal state of alert. The green alert has a 50% chance of a heat wave.
Learn how to keep cool for hotter conditions if the temperature increases. Be informed of the risks always be prepared for conditions to get worse.

Level 2 – AMBER
Be prepared for a heat wave as there is more than a 60% of a heat wave. The temperatures are likely to increase by more than 60% and is likely to have hot temperatures for 2 days.
Expect temperatures to reach 30 degrees C at the hottest part of the day.

Level 3 – RED
Heat wave will happen. Keep cool at all times carry a drink during travel car (personal) Public transport.
Level 4 – RED EMERGENCY
This is the most severe and the heat will cause stress to human and pets. Never leave anyone or any animal in a car shade even in the shade or if you have the windows slightly open . A small part of your vehicle in the sun will cause the rest of the vehicle to heat up very quickly.
Expect a heat wave to cause extreme temperature changes. Expect water supplies and power to both be put under strain and expect shortages.
For your guidance only this web site not responsible for any problems you experience from above tips used.

Due to people copying this web site (plagiarism) the info is correct but there are grammatical errors so I can track who cut & paste my web site. If no reference to ironmate.co.uk when copying this information then legal action will be taken & has been taken against those who copy my site. If you are unable to pay the fine imposed then your web site may be taken as part payment.
Due to people copying this web site (plagiarism) the info is correct but there are grammatical errors so i can track who cut & paste my web site. If no reference to ironmate.co.uk when copying this information then legal action will be taken & has been taken against those who copy my site. If you are unable to pay the fine imposed then your web site may be taken as part payment.

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