State health dept issues dos and don’ts to beat summer heat in Pune

To reduce the health impacts of extreme heat, district-level health officials have been directed to train workers to recognise factors that may increase the risk of developing a heat-related illness and the signs and symptoms of heat stress.

In a list of dos and don’ts, the Maharashtra health department’s latest advisories this summer instructs citizens to familiarise themselves with symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke and seek medical attention if they experience symptoms.

Dr Radhakrishna Pawar, joint director of Health (Maharashtra), told sources it was essential to keep a close watch on children and elderly people in the family as they were more susceptible to heat-related illnesses.

The health department has advised people to stay hydrated and wear loose-fitting clothes in breathable cotton fabric. It also advised people to drink sufficient water whenever possible even if one doesn’t feel thirsty, as thirst is not a good indicator of dehydration.

Other advisories include carrying drinking water when traveling and using oral rehydration solution (ORS), and consuming homemade drinks like lemon water, buttermilk/lassi, fruit juices with some added salt. 

It has also advised limiting outdoor activities, especially during the hottest parts of the day and paying attention to local weather forecasts. 

Citizens have been instructed to cover their heads with an umbrella, hat, cap, towel and other traditional headgear to prevent direct exposure to sunlight and keep homes cool by using curtains, shutters or sunshade. Another tip is to keep windows open at night.