With the state contending with record-breaking heat as the work week begins, the Louisiana Department of Health is urging you to take every precaution necessary to keep yourself safe. Secretary Bruce Greenstein says if you don’t have to be outside, don’t.
“Being inside in air conditioning is one of the greatest inventions in the last 500 years, especially in Louisiana. And we ask people to go ahead and use it,” Greenstein said.
Greenstein says if you absolutely must spend time outdoors in these conditions, there are three basic rules you should abide by:
“If you’re outside, the three most important things is to hydrate, drink water, to get shade and rest,” Greenstein noted.
Greenstein says be sure to listen to your body if you spend any significant time outdoors and seek medical attention at the first sign of distress.
“If you’re feeling odd, maybe your heart is racing, you’re short of breath, you’re dizzy; take immediate steps to cool off and hydrate. If those issues persist, have somebody take you to the ER,” Greenstein advised.
Last month, four people in Louisiana died of heat-related illnesses – three senior citizens and a man in his 40s. Greenstein says all heat-related deaths are preventable; and fortunately, over the last three years, the number of deaths has declined from 88 three years ago, 51 two years ago and 31 last year.
More information and recommendations can be found at lda.la.gov.