Keep cool while blazing through summer

Barbara Lazor, chief nursing executive at CHRISTUS St. Catherine Hospital, has released a list of safety tips to advise the public on how to keep cool during the summer.

Stay hydrated. Large amounts of water are lost from the body when you sweat, during exercise or normal bodily functions. Keep a bottle of water available as often as possible. Also, be cautious of caffeinated and sugary beverages. Caffeinated drinks cause the body to lose fluids more quickly, and sugar can slow the absorption of fluids.

Dress cool. Try to wear loose-fitting and lightly colored clothing to lessen the intensity of the sun. Darker colors absorb the sun's rays.

Take it slow. Stay indoors as often as possible and avoid intense exercise during the hottest parts of the day. While outside, take breaks to avoid heat exhaustion.

Be neighborly. Check on people who spend time alone in the heat without air-conditioning, especially children and the elderly. Never leave children or pets alone in vehicles. The heat can be fatal.

You should also learn to recognize the warning signs of heat emergencies.

Signs of dehydration include dry mouth, excessive thirst, muscle weakness or cramping, infrequent or dark urination, dizziness, tiredness and headaches.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, flushed skin, headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness and exhaustion.

If you or someone you know seems to be experiencing any of these warning signs, take the person to a cooler place and give him or her small amounts of cool water to drink slowly. If symptoms worsen, dial 911 right away or take them to the emergency room at CHRISTUS St. Catherine Hospital, located at 701 S. Fry Road in Katy.

For more information about the hospital's services, visit christusstcatherine.org.