Search This Blog

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Summer Heat is a a Hazard

When is it too hot to work in the garden? 

Answer: When temperatures rise over 105 degrees Fahrenheit, humidity increases, and there is no breeze of wind, it is too hot to work for prolonged periods of time.  If you are planning to do strenuous work or are in contact with machinery that radiates heat, be careful working in the garden.

A human body needs to maintain a stable, internal temperature.  Therefore, it needs to get rid of excess heat.  In order to get rid of excess heat, a body must sweat to cool off.  When the air temperature is close to or warmer than the normal body temperature, cooling the body becomes more difficult.  If the body cannot get rid of the excess heat, it will store it.  This is when the core body temperature increases and can lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Signs of Heat Exhaustion

  • body temperature is 100 degrees Fahrenheit to 102 degrees Fahrenheit
  • heavy sweating
  • dizziness
  • extreme thirst
  • dark colored urine
  • headache
  • pale skin
  • rapid breathing
  • rapid heartbeat
  • fatigue or weakness
  • muscle cramps
Treatment for Heat Exhaustion
  • Move the person to a cool, shady area or move them inside to an air-conditioned area.
  • Drink plenty of cool water or sports drinks.
  • Apply cold compresses or ice packs to exposed skin.
  • Fan the person to increase evaporation.
  • Do not have the person return to work in the garden that day.
  • Take the person to the emergency room if symptoms worsen within 30 minutes, because it can progress to heat stroke.


No comments:

Post a Comment