Blytheville Assistant Police Chief Ricky Jefferson reminds citizens to be careful as temperatures continue to rise. Jefferson offers several tips to stay cool. They include:
— Wear appropriate clothing. Choose lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
— Stay cool indoors. Stay in an air-conditioned place as much as possible. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the shopping mall or public library—even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat.
— Keep in mind electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, they will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.
— Schedule outdoor activities carefully. Try to limit your outdoor activity to when it’s coolest, like morning and evening hours. Rest often in shady areas so that your body has a chance to recover.
— Pace yourself: If you’re not accustomed to working or exercising in a hot environment, start slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Get into a cool area or into the shade, and rest, especially if you become lightheaded, confused, weak, or faint.
— Wear sunscreen. Sunburn affects your body’s ability to cool down and can make you dehydrated. If you must go outdoors, protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes prior to going out.
— Do not leave children or pets in cars. Cars can quickly heat up to dangerous temperatures, even with a window cracked open. While anyone left in a parked car is at risk, children are especially at risk of getting a heat stroke or dying.
Jefferson added when traveling with children, remember to do the following:
— Never leave infants, children or pets in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked open.
— To remind yourself that a child is in the car, keep a stuffed animal in the car seat. When the child is buckled in, place the stuffed animal in the front with the driver.
— When leaving your car, check to be sure everyone is out of the car. Do not overlook any children who have fallen asleep in the car.