Hello GoodLifers! Summer’s here — think sunshine, cookouts, outdoor fun…and heat! Let’s enjoy every moment safely with these quick reminders from our incredible nursing staff:

Here’s how we keep our teams and the individuals we support healthy in hot weather:
✔️ Hydrate! Water and caffeine-free drinks are your best friends.
✔️ Shade and sunscreen — avoid direct sunlight, wear light clothing, grab a big, breathable hat.
✔️ Avoid outdoor activities during peak heat (10 AM – 2 PM) and hottest hours (3 – 5 PM).
✔️ Be sun-smart about medications that increase sensitivity to heat.
✔️ Plan for cool breaks during outdoor fun.
✔️ Keep vehicles pre-cooled, stocked with water, first aid kits, and phone access.

⚠️ Know the Signs

• Heat Exhaustion: Flushed face, sweating, fatigue, pale and cool skin, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, irritability,  muscle cramps, decreased urine output, and headaches.
  ➡️ Action: Get to a cool place immediately, apply compresses, provide non-diuretic (sugar-free and caffeine-free) drinks, and call the Wellness Clinic or on-call nurse. If symptoms persist for more than two hours, treat it as a medical emergency and take the individual to the emergency room. 
• Heat Stroke (Emergency): Confusion, breathing trouble, altered consciousness.
  ➡️ Action: Remove the individual from the heat immediately. Call 911 immediately and notify the on-call nurse. 

💡 Medications like anticonvulsants (seizure medications), antihistamines (allergy medications), beta-blockers (heart and blood pressure medications), diuretics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and laxatives can increase heat risks — be cautious!

Sunscreen Tip: SPF 15 or higher for extended outdoor time, Use water-resistant SPF 30 or higher for extended activity or swimming — reapply every 2 hours, or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.

Got questions? Call the nursing line anytime — your summer health is our priority!