Residents urged to keep cool during heatwave
Moving less and cutting down on outdoor activities reduce your chances of contracting heat stroke.
Tshwane residents are advised to stay indoors and limit all outdoor activities, as the Capital City and Gauteng as a whole are currently experiencing soaring temperatures across the province.
According to the SA Weather Service, the current heatwaves may cause heat exhaustion, hyperthermia, heat stroke, and dehydration.
Gauteng will be partly cloudy and hot with isolated showers and thundershowers from the afternoon.
The weather service has urged residents to stay hydrated, wear loose clothing, remain in the shade, and avoid strenuous activities.
The weather services further said the heatwaves occur when maximum temperatures are 5°C warmer than the average maximum temperature of the hottest month for a particular city or town for three or more consecutive days.
“Residents are urged to exercise caution when conducting daily activities, stay hydrated by drinking lots of water, and avoid direct sunlight, especially between 11:00 and 15:00.
“Take regular breaks when working directly in sunlight. Exposure to these extremely hot temperatures can cause heat exhaustion and heat cramps which might lead to heat stroke,” the SAWS said.
The expected UVB sunburn index is extreme.
Local general practitioner Kabelo Sanyane said such high-temperature conditions could breed certain sicknesses, rather than create health hazards.
Sanyane said residents should look out for signs of heat stroke, hyperthermia, dehydration, and heat exhaustion.
He said common signs of heat stroke or heat exhaustion include confusion, loss of consciousness, dry skin, possible seizures, and high body temperatures.
“These need to be treated as such and if treatment is not commenced immediately, it could become fatal,” said Sanyane.
Here’s how one can keep cool during a heatwave, according to the World Health Organisation:
– Move to the coolest room in the home, especially at night.
– If it is not possible to keep your home cool, spend two to three hours of the day in a cool place (such as an air-conditioned public building).
– Avoid going outside during the hottest time of the day.
– Avoid strenuous physical activity if you can. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 04:00 and 07:00.
– Stay in the shade.
– Do not leave children or animals in parked vehicles.
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