Should you?
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| Fans collected from a recent fan drive. |
In Austin for the last 23 years there has been a fan drive held by Family Eldercare. In 2012 Family Eldercare delivered 5,261 fans across 11 Texas counties. This year they anticipate delivering even more.
With temperatures rising many elderly or low income families can't afford to keep cool, a fan drive is one way to help. In many communities the Salvation Army also has fan drives.
Check around in your area to find out if there is a fan drive, or start your own.
Here are some tips for keeping cool this Summer:
Prepare yourself and your family for the heat...
• Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous
activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually
in the morning between 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.
• Stay indoors as much as possible. If air conditioning is not
available, stay on the lowest floor, out of the sunshine. Try to
go to a public building with air conditioning each day for several hours. Remember, electric fans do not cool the air, but they do help sweat evaporate, which cools your body.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun’s energy.
• Drink plenty of water regularly and often. Your body needs water to keep cool.
• Drink plenty of fluids even if you do not feel thirsty.
• Water is the safest liquid to drink during heat emergencies. Avoid drinks with alcohol or
caffeine in them. They can make you feel good briefly, but make the heat’s effects on your
body worse. This is especially true about beer, which dehydrates the body.
• Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid foods that are high in protein, which increase
metabolic heat.
• Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.
• Shade makes a difference! If you need to be in the sun for a long time, wear a visor or
light sun-hat.
• Light shoes are necessary for ultimate cooling. Avoid boots and high-tops. If your feet are cool,
so are you!
• A cool dip in the pool is a great way to cool off, and great exercise!
• ALWAYS wear sunscreen when you are going to be exposed to the sun's rays. Even a short
time in the sun can cause sunburns.
• Overcast days don't always mean you can't burn. Wear that sunscreen!
• If you are feeling faint, nauseous, weak or disoriented, seek medical help immediately.
Hyperthermia and heat-stroke are serious, and can lead to illness and even death.
