Tag: Heat

  • Hot Weather Hazards: How to Stay Cool and Avoid Heat Stroke

    Hot Weather Hazards: How to Stay Cool and Avoid Heat Stroke

    In summer, when it is very hot, people can get sick easily. If you work a lot outside in the heat, you might get a heat stroke. Your body normally stays around 98.6°F. But if it goes above 104°F, you could get a heat stroke. When you have a heat stroke, your body can’t control its temperature anymore.

    Heat Stroke

    It’s serious and can even lead to death if you don’t get help fast. But how do you know if you’re having a heat stroke? Let’s talk about the signs. First, you might feel dizzy. Your mind might suddenly feel strange, and you might act oddly. You could start breathing really fast, and your blood pressure might drop.

    Your skin might get hot, red, and dry. You might not pee much, and your stomach might hurt. You could feel like throwing up, or you might faint. If you think you or someone else has a heat stroke, get to a cool place fast. You can cool off by wiping your skin with a wet cloth.

    Drink water or something with salt in it if you can. You can also use ice to help cool down. But don’t wait too long to get help. Go to the hospital right away. To avoid heat stroke, wear loose clothes. Try to stay inside or find shade outside. Drink lots of water or juice, and use a hat or umbrella in the sun. Following these simple tips could keep you safe from heat stroke.

  • Staying Safe in the Summer Heat: Tips for Protecting Your Health

    Staying Safe in the Summer Heat: Tips for Protecting Your Health

    Many parts of the world are experiencing high temperatures and it is surpassing 40 degrees Celsius, much higher than usual. This heatwave is expected to persist for several days, with temperatures possibly reaching 42 degrees Celsius this month it is causing discomfort for many.

    heatwave

    Extra care is advised for the elderly and children during this hot weather. It is best to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities and stay indoors whenever possible to prevent heat-related illnesses. Heat stroke, in particular, poses a serious risk and can be fatal.

    While it may seem refreshing, drinking ice-cold water after being in the heat is not recommended. It can shock the body and increase the risk of both colds and heat stroke. Instead, it’s better to drink water at a normal temperature gradually.

    When the temperature climbs to 40 degrees Celsius, it’s crucial to avoid excessive consumption of cold water. Sudden intake of cold water can cause the blood vessels to constrict rapidly, increasing the chances of heat stroke.

    When the outside temperature reaches 38°C, it’s advisable to seek shade and drink water at room temperature slowly. Washing hands with cold water immediately upon returning home is not recommended, as the body needs time to adjust to room temperature first.

    It’s essential to drink water in small, regular amounts and avoid consuming juices too frequently. Plain water or bottled water is preferable to sugary drinks, which provide temporary relief but offer little nutritional value and can be harmful to the body.

    In addition to beverages, it’s wise to avoid spicy and fried foods during hot weather. These foods can increase internal body temperature and lead to discomfort. Instead, opt for lighter, more hydrating meals to stay cool and healthy during the heatwave.

  • Discover the World of Heat with an Arduino Thermal Camera

    Discover the World of Heat with an Arduino Thermal Camera

    Ever seen those inexpensive telescopes at the store? They come in fancy boxes with stunning pictures, usually from powerful telescopes like Hubble. However, what you see through them is often quite different. That’s a bit like what happens with [upir’s] Arduino thermal camera project. It’s important to take a closer look at this project because it mixes images you’d expect from an 8×8 sensor with pictures from a much better camera.

    thermal camera

    The actual project is quite cool. It brings together a cheap 8×8 infrared (IR) sensor and an 8×8 LED panel to create a basic but functional thermal camera.

    He makes good use of existing libraries, explaining how and why he chose them and made some necessary changes. One interesting part is when he demonstrates plotting HSV values to the LED array instead of the typical RGB values.

    The rest becomes relatively simple once you have code ready to read the sensor and control the LEDs. However, just like the dime-store telescope, you shouldn’t expect astonishing results. Nevertheless, you probably have most of the necessary components lying around, except for the $20 sensor.

    Around the ten-minute mark in the video, he showcases the same sensor in a commercial module that enhances resolution on an LCD screen. While still basic, he quickly reviews a commercial camera that can be plugged into your phone. (Feel free to skip the video beyond this point if you do not like subtle advertising.) We’ve actually discussed that camera before, as well as some of its competitors. While any of those options will outperform the 8×8 Arduino camera, they’ll also be pricier and won’t provide the satisfaction of building it yourself.

  • Beat the Heat: How to Stay Safe During a Heat Wave

    Beat the Heat: How to Stay Safe During a Heat Wave

    Heat Safety: What You Need to Know

    Heat-related illnesses can be severe, and at times even life-threatening. Here are several steps you can take to stay safe during extremely hot temperatures:

    1. Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water and other fluids, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid alcoholic or caffeinated drinks, as they can cause your body to lose more fluids.
    2. Wear appropriate clothing: Lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing can help keep you cool. A wide-brimmed hat can also protect you from direct sunlight.
    3. Avoid direct sunlight: If possible, stay indoors during the hottest parts of the day, typically from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you must be outside, seek shade as much as possible.
    4. Use air conditioning: If your home has air conditioning, use it. If it doesn’t, try to spend time in public spaces that do, like libraries, shopping malls, or community centers. Fans can help circulate air and make you feel cooler, even in air-conditioned rooms.
    5. Take cool showers or baths: This can help bring down your body temperature.
    6. Never leave people or pets in a closed car: The temperature inside a parked car can rapidly reach dangerous levels, leading to heat stroke or death.
    7. Eat light: Heavy meals can add to your body heat. Eat small meals more often and cold meals such as salads.
    8. Check on vulnerable individuals: Older adults, young children, and people with chronic illnesses are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses. Make sure they’re staying cool and hydrated.
    9. Recognize the signs of heat-related illnesses: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion (such as heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, and fainting) and heat stroke (such as high body temperature, absence of sweating with hot red or flushed dry skin, rapid pulse, difficulty breathing, strange behavior, hallucinations, confusion, agitation, disorientation, seizure, and/or coma). If you suspect someone is suffering from a heat-related illness, especially heat stroke, seek medical attention immediately.

    Rice: Beneficial or harmful for our health?

    Heat Safety

    Remember that these are general tips, and individual needs can vary depending on factors like age, health status, and physical activity. Always listen to your body and take breaks if you’re feeling overheated, and seek professional advice as needed.