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Editorial
We’re only three weeks into summer and it already feels like it’s one of the hottest in memory. The temperatures have been hovering in the 90s most days and inching perilously close to triple digits.
We were fortunate, last week, when we had beneficial rains from thunderstorms on Thursday and Friday afternoons, July 4 and 5, to bring welcome relief to the stifling conditions. The downpours cooled things off a bit, at least temporarily, and made holiday activities a little more pleasant. The showers created sufficiently safe conditions so that Buena Vista was able to have its postponed fireworks on Sunday.
We were hoping for more relief this week, with the remnants of Hurricane Beryl heading north after creating havoc in the Caribbean and on the Gulf Coast of Texas. The latest forecasts, however, as this is being written on Tuesday, seem to indicate that the rains from the remains of the tropical storm won’t be reaching us.
So, we must endure in the face of continuing extreme heat. In its July wellness newsletter, the Central Shenandoah Health District offers summer safety tips for coping with the sweltering conditions.
Most importantly, if you’re going to be spending much time outdoors, “pre-hydrate and re-hydrate,” the experts advise. Drink plenty of fluids prior to heading outside and plan to have access to water during any outdoors excursions. Planning ahead is key. Make sure you have adequate water or sports drinks on hand if you will be exercising outside. Also, bring sunscreen and protective clothing, and seek shade from the sun when possible.
Take advantage of the abundance of swimming or boating options in the Rockbridge area, but engage in these summertime activities safely. The Maury River along the Ben Salem Wayside just outside Buena Vista has become an increasingly popular place to cool off. There is also Goshen Pass and Lake Robertson as well as public swimming pools in Lexington, Buena Vista, Fairfield and at Lake Robertson.
Spending more time around water means you should be cognizant of swimming safety. Here are a few things the CSHD advises to ensure a safe swimming experience. Never swim alone. Always swim with a friend, and make sure children are supervised when they are in the water. Sign up for swimming lessons. It is never too late to learn how to swim. Having proper swim instruction is an essential and lifelong skill that can not only save you from drowning, but can also provide endless hours of entertainment and exercise to those who know how.
Wear life jackets on boats, at any swimming level. Life jackets will keep you afloat in an emergency, such as if you get injured while boating. Learn CPR and have an emergency plan. Knowing CPR can save lives. Make sure you go over potential emergency situations and have a plan on how you would respond if they were to occur.
Be wary about the consumption of alcohol while engaging in these summertime activities. When the temperature is hot, alcohol will dehydrate you much quicker than normal. Be conscious of your alcohol intake if you are drinking outside.
When you’re getting overheated, know when to seek help. The first warning signs of heat-related illness might not seem that extreme. Sweating, dizziness, headache and fatigue could be signs that you are overheating. Muscle cramping and increased heart rate could be signs of heat exhaustion.
Have a safe and enjoyable summer as you try to beat this extreme heat.
