Staying safe in the summer heat
Water, shade, loose clothes and more water are the simple ingredients to staying safe during the heat.
Part of living in Pueblo is dealing with the heat, but staying safe in it can be tricky, if simple precautions aren’t taken.
“You just expect it and live with it,” Amanda Gonzales said.
Gonzales brought her kids out to Mineral Palace Park before the hottest part of the day.
“He had already went down the slide and said it was hot,” said Gonzales.
For the Gonzales family, staying inside isn’t always the best option.
“I don’t want to spend all day inside. It’s cooler inside, but it’s not fun,” Gonzales said.
This family did it right, according to Emergency Services Director at St. Mary Corwin Medical Center Patrick Stanifer. He said the best option in this kind of heat is to go out before noon and stay in the shade.
“If you’re in direct sunlight it increases the impact on you by as much as 15 degrees,” Stanifer said.
Of course plenty of water is always necessary as much as two to four, 8 ounce glasses an hour in the heat. Also, keep a close eye on children under 4 years old.
“Loose, coo,l light colored clothing, give them frequent sips of water, you know, every 15 minutes to prevent dehydration,” Stanifer said.
People with high blood pressure and heart conditions are a concern as well.
“We see those people coming in, not necessarily related to the heat, but the heat has caused issues with their blood pressure or their heart,” said Stanifer.
Heat related illnesses progress quickly as early symptoms may be hard to notice.
“If they begin feeling nauseated, feeling dizzy or begin having mental status changes, like becoming confused” are all signs that person needs to get to a hospital, Stanifer said.
