PANAJI
With Goa experiencing a heat-wave like situation as temperatures soaring above normal, the Directorate of Health Services on Monday issued a health advisory advising the general public to stay safe from the scorching summer.
The precautionary measures are as follows:
Stay hydrated by drinking sufficient water whenever possible, even if you are not thirsty. Thirst is not a good indicator of dehydration, carrying drinking water when traveling, using Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS), and consume homemade drinks like lemon water, butter milk/lassi, fruit juices with some added salt and eating seasonal fruits and vegetables with high water content like water melon, muskmelon, orange, grapes, pineapple, cucumber, lettuce or other locally available fruits and vegetables.
Stay covered by wearing thin loose, cotton garments preferably light coloured, covering your head using an umbrella, hat, cap, towel and other traditional headgears during exposure to direct sunlight and wearing shoes or chappals while going out in the sun.
Stay indoors/in shade as much as possible by being in well ventilated and cool places, blocking direct sunlight and heat waves, keeping windows and curtains closed during the day, especially on the sunny side of your house. Opening them up at night to let cooler air in. If going outdoors, limit to cooler times of the day.
Elderly or sick people living alone should be supervised and their health monitored on a daily basis. Keep your home cool, use curtains, shutters or sunshade and open windows at night, try to remain on lower floors during the day, use fan, spray bottles, damp cloths, ice towels to cool down body and immersing feet in 20°C water above ankle provides rapid cooling by reducing dehydration and thermal discomfort.
Avoid moving out especially between 12 noon and 3pm, avoid strenuous activities when outside in the afternoon, do not go out barefoot, avoid cooking during peak summer hours.
Open doors and windows to ventilate the cooking area adequately, avoid alcohol, tea, coffee and carbonated soft drinks or drinks with large amounts of sugar. Do not leave children or pets in parked vehicles.
Call 108/102 immediately if you find someone with high body temperature and is either unconscious, confused, or has stopped sweating.
