Up & Coming Weekly

Beat the It is often hard to tell just by looking at someone whether or not they are dehydrated. People may not know what signs to look for in others or themselves if they are dehydrated. Some of the fi rst signs of dehydration Drink It In are heat cramps in the legs or abdomen, due to a drop in electrolytes after long exposure to the sun, sweating, and feeling tired or excessively hot. How much water people drink after going to the bathroom can also affect hydration. When people sweat or use the bathroom, fl uids are essentially leaving the body. If people do not re-hydrate with water, they may feel cool, moist to the touch, pale or dizzy and could potentially pass out. In severe cases, a heat or sun stroke may occur. If someone has hot, red skin that feels dry or moist, are vomiting or have a high body temperature they are at risk for a heat stroke. Immediately call 911 then apply ice packs, wrapped in a cloth or other material, to the person’s armpits, groin, wrists, neck and ankles to help cool them. In order to avoid dehydration it is best to never be outside between 11 am and 2 p.m., when the temperature is the hottest, don’t eat heavy meals, be aware of the heat index and humidity, wear light weight and loose clothing, take frequent breaks when doing yard work or working outside, avoid alcohol, soft drinks and other drinks with caffeine and drink plenty of water. “There is a disagreement on drinking eight glasses of water a day,” said Mary Lou Powers of the Highland’s Chapter of the American Red Cross. “Eight glasses should be a minimum because everyone knows their own body.” Powers also pointed out the importance of never leaving children sitting inside cars, regardless of the time of year, and checking on people who live alone and especially on those who live without air conditioning. “A lot of people who don’t have a cool place will go somewhere with air conditioning like a mall or library,” said Powers. The easiest way to stay safe and hydrated is to always use the “buddy system.” Having a buddy with you while playing or working outside will help keep you hydrated by checking up on one another and will help prevent the negative effects of dehydration. Powers further suggested that people should wear hats when they are outside and should wear sunscreen, reapplying it every 45 minutes even if the label says it is water- proof. She stressed that it is very important to read the labels on sunscreens and to be very careful with babies outside because their skin is very sensitive to sunlight. With pet friends we want to remember to provide clean water for them at all times and give them breaks every 10 to 15 minutes to drink water when playing with them. Try not to play with them during the hottest hours of the day. For cool refreshments to keep pets well-hydrated, freeze water with fl avored biscuits or treats inside, or freeze a little vegetable broth inside their water. For further information, call your local veterinarian. Summer is here and people are pulling out their grills for picnics, cookouts and outdoor fun. When preparing for a grill-out, one of the most important things to remember is grilling safety. Roger Sullivan, Captain and Public Educator for the Fayetteville Fire and Emergency Management department offered these safety tips: • For fi rst time use on Heat It Up a cast iron grate or griddle, wash it thoroughly with a mild dishwashing liquid to remove the protective wax coating that is applied to the grill for shipping. Rinse with hot water and dry completely with a soft cloth or paper towel. Do not allow the griddle to drain dry 8 UCW JULY 14-20, 2010 for a Safe Summer by ASHLEY YOUNG With record-breaking scorching temperatures, thick humidity and heat indexes over 100 degrees, many are staying inside to avoid the hot weather. But for those who want to get out and enjoy the summer, what’s the best way to stay safe? and do not wash in a dishwasher. Then season the grates or griddle, to prevent rusting and sticking, by spreading a thin coat of solid vegetable shortening over the entire surface of the grill with a paper towel. Do not use butter or margarine for seasoning. • Remember propane and charcoal grills should only be used outside, a good distance away from the home itself, deck railings, out from under roof overhangs and tree branches. • Indoor use of propane or charcoal grills may result in death by fi re or CO poisoning. • Always keep children and pets away from the grilling area. -Set up a three foot “kid-free zone” around the grilling area in order to prevent accidents. -Keep grills away from any lawn games, play areas or foot traffi c. • Grill chefs should use long handled grilling tools in order to ensure safety from heat and fl ames. • Never leave your grill unattended. • Keep your grill clean by removing grease and fat build-up on the grill itself and trays underneath. • Consult your grill manual for proper detergents and devices to clean the grill after its fi rst use. Charcoal Grills For charcoal grills, a charcoal chimney starter will allow a grill to be started using newspaper as a fuel. A chimney starter is a metal cylinder with a charcoal grate mounted inside. The unlit charcoal is placed in the top of the cylinder then the newspaper is placed into the bottom underneath the grate and when lit, it burns and lights the charcoal. Chimney starters can be purchased at most hardware stores. Only use charcoal starter fl uid on charcoal grills and do not add any starter fl uid or other fl ammable liquids to the grill fi re once it has started. Remember to always keep charcoal starter fl uid out of children’s reach and away from all other sources of heat. Electric charcoal starters can also be used as an alternative to starter fl uid, matches or gas lighters. An electric charcoal starter is a simple device with a handle on one end and a loop of metal on the other, which serves as the heating element. When fi nished grilling, coals should be completely cool before they are disposed of in a metal container. Propane Grills Before using a propane tank each year the gas tank hose should be checked for leaks by adding a light soap and water mix to the hose. A propane leak will release bubbles. If the grill has a propane gas leak, determined by the smell or soapy bubble test, turn off the gas tank and grill if there is no fl ame. If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop call the fi re department immediately. If you smell gas while grilling, get away from the grill immediately and call the fi re department, but do not attempt to move the grill. Always remember to never store propane gas tanks in buildings or garages and if storing a gas grill inside during the winter, disconnect the cylinder and leave it outside. Always use only equipment with a recognized testing laboratory on it and follow manufacturer’s instructions on how to set up a grill and maintain it. In a three year period, U.S. fi re departments responded to 7,900 home fi res involving grills. Leaks or breaks is the leading contributor to gas grill fi res. Get Wet, But Not Wild by DR. SHANESSA FENNER Summer is here and it is time to relax and have some fun. Following these safety tips for swimming and boating activities can ensure that a fun time is also a safe time. Tips for safe swimming • Don’t run around the pool. • Learn how to swim. • Swim at a depth that is safe for you. • Don’t dive into unknown waters. Enter the water feet fi rst. • Make sure the water is clean from leaves, dirt, and other debris. • Stay away from drains and fi lters. Hair or clothing can become tangled in these structures that could trap you under the water. • Keep TVs and radios a safe distance from the water. • Drink plenty of water to avoid heatstroke and dehydration. • Keep an eye on your kids at all times. • Swim near a lifeguard. • Take frequent breaks. • Never swim alone. 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