How to prepare for hot weather

Do you know what kinds of effects hot weather can have on your health? Can you identify the symptoms of mild sunstroke, heat exhaustion and heat stroke? Follow these tips to prepare for hot weather and ease your discomfort.

Take care of at least the following matters

• Hydration is important: keep a water bottle with you. Drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty. Also remind your loved ones to drink enough fluids. Avoid consuming alcohol.
• Ensure your loved ones’ wellbeing. You should check the condition of elderly persons living alone in particular at least twice a day.
• Eat enough food – for example, small portions more often than usual.
• Avoid vigorous physical activity during the hottest hours of the day. Outdoor activities should take place during the coolest hours of the morning or evening.
• Do not leave children or animals alone in a hot car, even for a brief moment.
• Avoid spending too much time in the sun. Direct sunlight may cause painful burns, so protect your skin with clothes and sunscreen and protect your head. If you spend time outdoors, stick to the shade. Wear lightweight and light-coloured clothing.
• Identify the symptoms of mild sunstroke, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If necessary, seek medical attention.

How to ease discomfort indoors

• Cover the windows with curtains.
• Use air conditioning or a fan, if possible.
• Keep the windows closed if the indoor temperature is cooler than the outdoor temperature. Ventilate if it is hotter indoors than outdoors.
• If you are unable to lower the temperature in your home, you should spend at least part of the day in another cool space, such as a ventilated public space.
• Take a cool shower or bath during the day.

Symptoms of and first aid for mild sunstroke, heat exhaustion and heat stroke

Mild sunstroke or heat exhaustion

A mild sunstroke or heat exhaustion can also occur in Finland on a hot summer day. The sun may catch you by surprise if you do not protect your head from sunlight or if you continue engaging in vigorous physical activity for a long time without sufficient hydration.

The symptoms of mild sunstroke and heat exhaustion include headache, thirst, fatigue, nausea, irritability and dizziness. As first aid measures, you should get out of direct sunlight, remove excessive clothing and cool down the skin. The best drinks for treating dehydration are drinks containing carbohydrates and electrolytes (sports drink). Milk, juice, tea or coconut water are also good options.

Heat stroke

For now, heat stroke is a rare occurrence in Finland, but staying in a hot car or leaving a baby in a pram in direct sunlight, for example, may cause the body temperature to rise to dangerous levels.

Drying of the skin, a reduced need to urinate, lack of sweating, or more serious symptoms, such as delirium, loss of consciousness and seizures, are an immediate reason to call the emergency number, 112. You should try to cool down your body immediately by applying water to your skin, for example.