State Gives Tips on How to Beat the Heat

Tips from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency to avoid heat exhaustion or heat stroke include:

Slow down and avoid strenuous activity.

Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing. Light colors reflect heat and sunlight and help maintain normal body temperature. Wear a wide-brimmed hat to shade your face from the sun.

Limit intake of alcoholic beverages that can dehydrate the body.

Eat well-balanced, light, regular meals.   Avoid high protein foods that increase metabolic heat.

Stay indoors as much as possible.

Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, awnings or louvers. Outdoor awnings or louvers can reduce the heat that enters a home by up to 80 percent.

Sunburn slows the skin's ability to cool itself.  If you are outside, use sunscreen lotion with a high SPF (Sun Protection Factor) rating.

Never leave children or pets alone in a closed vehicle.

Check on family, friends and neighbors.

Click here for more information on heat stroke and exhaustion from MEMA.