7 Tips for Preventing Heat Stress on Your Vacation

When the beaches and pools are calling, beating the heat during summer vacation can pose a challenge – especially to those not used to a different climate. Having fun in the sun means knowing what to do when you or your family has had a little too much of long summer day rays.

Hot environments can cause a number of serious illnesses, including heat stress. If you’re managing properties in hot environments, it’s essential to take precautions to ensure your guests enjoy their summer getaway, heat stress free!

Here at SaferVRS, our priority is helping you to create safe vacations for your guests. This extends to keeping them safe outside of your property.

To help your guests maximize those sunny days, we’ve created this quick heat safety guide for heat illness prevention.

What is Heat Stress?

Heat stress is a condition that occurs when the body is unable to cool itself properly, leading to an increase in your core body temperature. Typically, heat stress happens as a result of prolonged exposure to high temperatures, strenuous physical activity, or a combination of both. If untreated, heat stress can lead to even more serious heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

There are a number of warning signs of heat stress. Early symptoms include heavy sweating, dehydration, muscle cramps, and fatigue. Symptoms of heat-related illness may also include:

• Intense sweating
• Pale and clammy skin
• Rapid but weak pulse
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fainting
• Confusion
• Slurred speech
• Seizures
• Loss of consciousness

When these symptoms are present, rapid intervention is essential. Without prompt attention, heat stress can result in a heat stroke, which can lead to severe complications, including organ damage and death. It is especially important to watch anyone in your party with pre-existing medical conditions as many of these increase their risk factor of being more prone to heat stress.

How to Prepare Your Property’s for Heat Stress

While the tips below are best to pass onto your guests to ensure they have a memorable and safe trip, there are some things you, as the property manager or owner, can do to mitigate risks to your guests when it comes to heat stress.

We recommend you:

• Test your air conditioning unit, especially if this is the first time all year you’ve needed to use it to ensure it works properly and doesn’t need any adjustments. Make sure it can get cold enough to cool down a hot room on a hot day.
• Make sure your guests have plenty of clean drinking water. Provide jugs of cold water, plenty of ice, or put some bottled water in the fridge so they have cold water available from the moment they walk in the door.
• To go the extra mile, add in some cold packs in the freezer for guests to bring outside with them.
• If a heat wave is coming, warn your guests. Send them a text letting them know that the weather might be extreme and to stay in the shade or indoors if possible. While guests from your region might understand the dangers, if your guests are from a different climate, they might underestimate it.

Now that you’ve done your due diligence, we recommend you pass along the remainder of this article to your guests to even better prevent heat stress on their vacation.

Tips to Beat the Heat

Luckily, avoiding heat stress involves just a little preparation on your part. To help you protect yourself and your loved ones on your next summer getaway, check out our tips for preventing heat stress.

1. Research the Climate

Before heading out on vacation, it’s important to research the weather in the area. Be sure to look at the forecast during your trip and the predicted highs and lows. You can also research the history of weather in the area and see what you may expect.

Be sure to also pay attention to the forecasted heat index. This considers what the temperature feels like to the human body. While the forecast may say 92°, the heat index may indicate that the temperatures will feel more consistent with 100°. This is important to factor in when planning outdoor activities during your trip.

2. Packing for the Weather

In addition to considering the predicted weather during your visit, you should also be sure to pack to protect yourself from the heat. There are a number of items you should be sure to bring along to keep yourself cool despite sweltering summer temps. Be sure to include the following:

• lightweight, loose-fitting clothing
• Flip flops or light footwear
• wide-brimmed hats
• Sunglasses
• high SPF sunscreen
• water bottles

These items aren’t essential but certainly prove helpful in hot climates:

• electrolyte tabs
• Portable fans
• Cooling towels

3. Hydration is Essential

The importance of staying hydrated in hot weather cannot be understated. Under normal circumstances, it is recommended that the average adult drinks 8 to 12 glasses a day. During extreme heat, it is advised to drink up to 1 glass an hour to replenish the fluids you’ll lose through sweating.

Be sure to drink plenty of fluids (even if you aren’t thirsty). You should also avoid consuming excessive food and drinking alcohol, as both can have dehydrating effects. Be sure to eat plenty of hydrating foods like fruits and vegetables. To ensure you’re drinking water regularly, keep a reusable water bottle on hand and refill it frequently.

4. Managing your Exposure to Heat

It is also helpful to minimize your exposure to heat throughout the day. If possible, plan your activities to take place during the cooler parts of the day. Seek shade whenever possible, and consider bringing an umbrella if you plan to be outdoors for extended periods.

If you cannot avoid being outside during the hottest parts of the day, plan plenty of rest breaks throughout the day. Take advantage of air conditioned buildings and shade trees while you recuperate from the heat.

5. Dressing Appropriately

Be sure your clothing is suitable for the day. On the hottest of days, try to choose light-colored, lightweight clothing. Choose moisture-wicking fabrics that will help absorb sweat. A bathing suit may be your best bet when suitable, provided you stay covered in sunscreen.

Also, consider bringing along some cooling accessories. Having a cooling towel handy can help you lower your body temperature when you are overheating. A small, portable neck fan can also be a great tool and can provide a welcome breeze on hot days.

6. Using Sunscreen Correctly

Having a sunburn affects your body’s ability to cool itself properly, so preventing a sunburn is essential on hot days. To maximize the effects of sunscreen, be sure to choose a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and apply it generously to all exposed skin. Don’t forget the backs of your ears, neck, and the tops of your feet.

After applying sunscreen, wait 15-30 minutes before going outside to ensure it has had enough time to absorb into the skin. Also, remember to reapply it throughout the day. Reapplication should occur every two hours and more frequently if swimming or sweating heavily as these activities can remove the protective layer of sunscreen. Additionally, don’t forget to combine sunscreen with other protective measures like wearing a hat and sunglasses.

7. Staying Prepared Throughout Your Trip

Perhaps the most important thing you can do is stay prepared throughout your trip. Weather forecasts can change quickly, so it’s important to monitor the weather daily and in extreme temperatures throughout the day. Be sure to be mindful of predicted heat waves, as excessive heat can leave you more susceptible to heat illness.

Be sure to have first aid supplies handy in the event of heat-related health issues. It’s also extremely important to be familiar with the location of first aid resources and local emergency facilities in an emergency. You may also find it helps to keep the OSHA fact sheet printed and handy on your trip.

What To Do in the Event of Suspected Heat Stress

Act Quickly

When someone experiences the symptoms of heat exposure, it’s important to act quickly. First, remove the person from the heat and move them to a cool area to prevent them from overheating.

Move to a Cool Space

While an air-conditioned room is preferable, a shady spot or anywhere out of direct sunlight is helpful. Cool towels can also be applied by directing airflow from a fan directly onto them.

Replenish Fluids

Once you have removed them from the heat, you’ll need to work quickly to replenish lost fluids due to sweating. Encourage the person to take small, frequent sips of cool water or a sports drink to help them rehydrate. This will assist in lowering their core temperature.

When to Contact Emergency Services

If symptoms are severe, contact emergency healthcare responders immediately. In the event of milder symptoms be sure to monitor the person closely for the next thirty minutes. If their symptoms persist or worsen, seek medical attention immediately.

Stay Safe in the Sun on Vacation

It’s hard to enjoy a vacation while you’re ill. Be sure to be prepared and protect yourself from the dangers of heat stress so you can maximize the fun and memories on your trip!

Looking for more vacation safety tips? Be sure to check us out at SaferVRS, where keeping vacation guests safe away from home is our top priority. Check out our newly launched podcast, interactive courses, and coaching.