When it’s summertime in Texas, it’s hot … that’s just a matter of living along the Gulf Coast. But in the past week or so, record-setting temperatures have taken “hot” and made it even more dangerous, especially for those who make a living outside.

There are steps you can take to protect yourself and your employees from the dangers of excessive heat and humidity. One of those is utilizing a cooling trailer, like the ones available at 2S Elite Rentals, to provide a place for an occasional break from the heat.

There are other things that can be done as preventative measures:

• Increase water consumption. Drink lots of liquids even before getting thirsty, but avoid those with caffeine, alcohol or large amounts of sugar because these can actually result in the loss of body fluid.
• Conduct outdoor work or exercise in the early morning or evening when it is cooler. Outdoor workers should drink plenty of water or electrolyte-replacement beverages and take frequent breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned facility. Those unaccustomed to working or exercising in a hot environment need to start slowly and gradually increase heat exposure over several weeks.
• Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing that permits the evaporation of perspiration.
• A wide-brimmed hat helps prevent sunburn as well as heat-related illness. Sunscreen also protects from the sun’s harmful rays and reduces the risk of sunburn.
• Stay alert to heat advisories. The National Weather Service declares a Heat Emergency when the heat index, a computation of the air temperature and humidity, reaches 108 degrees on two or more consecutive days. A heat index of 108 is a potential health threat for all people and is particularly dangerous for high-risk groups.

Here are some things that can help at home as well:

• If the house is not air-conditioned, seek accommodations in air-conditioned facilities during the heat of the day: multi-service centers, malls, movie theaters, libraries, etc.
• Check on the elderly. Take the initiative to visit seniors to look for signs of heat related illnesses. It takes the elderly nearly twice the time of younger people to return to core body temperature after exposure to extreme temperatures. A phone call to the frail elderly is not sufficient to determine physical condition.
• Take frequent cool baths or showers if your home is not air-conditioned.
• Electric fans should only be used in conjunction with an air conditioner. A fan can’t change the temperature of a room; it can only accelerate air movement, and will accelerate the body’s overheating.
• Do not leave children, senior citizens or pets unattended in a vehicle.

It’s important to note that during an excessive heat advisory, utility companies are prohibited from disconnecting service due to lack of payment.

For a quote on one of the many cooling trailers, or other heavy equipment, available at 2S Elite Rentals, contact us by phone at 409-842-5040 or email [email protected].