Keep your cool this summer

It looks set to be a hot and dry summer. Here are some tips to help your employees stay cool and water wise.

The dry facts

South Africa is classified as a water-stressed country.
South Africa receives an annual rainfall of 492 mm, while the rest of the earth receives an average of 985 mm.

Ten ways your employees can stay cool

Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.
Take frequent breaks if they work or play outdoors.
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids even if they don’t feel thirsty.
Put sunscreen lotions in the fridge.
Go to an air-conditioned public place for a break (e.g. movie theatre)
Wet paper towels. Fold into ankle and wrist cuffs. Freeze. Wear. Repeat.
Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol as they are dehydrating.
Eat small meals, more often.
Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing and stay out of direct sunlight.
When inside, try to stay in the coolest parts of their home. Keep curtains and blinds closed in rooms that catch the sun.

Dehydration

Extreme heat and dry conditions can cause your employees to dehydrate and your body to overheat.

What are the signs of dehydration?

Dizziness
Fatigue
Faintness
Headaches
Muscle cramps
Increased thirst

How to avoid dehydration:

Eat a balanced diet to help the body replace any salt lost through sweating.

Drink six to eight glasses of liquid a day and more if it’s hot. Your employee may also need to be careful if they are taking some types of medication that affect water retention.

If your employees show any signs of dehydration, they should rest in a cool place and drink plenty of fluids. They should seek medical advice if their symptoms persist or worsen.

Protect pets from the heat

Never leave a pet or animal in a garage, vehicle or the sun
Provide shade and check that they always have clean drinking water
Employee should check on their animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat.

Be water wise

Water is precious resource. It is vital for our health and wellbeing. It is also in very short supply. Here are a few tips to be water wise:

Save water by using a dustbin to discard used tissues, paper towels, etc. Even if the toilets in your house are “low-flow” toilets, using them for rubbish still uses 5 litres of water unnecessarily. The average flush uses as much as 18 litres of water!

Check for leaks: To check for leaks in the water tank, drop several drops of food colouring into the water. If you see the colouring seeping into the bowl, there’s a leak. Fixing it will save hundreds of litres and Rands every month.

Choose short showers over long baths: They use less water. Baths & Showers use 32% of the average household’s water. Choose a low-flow shower head that has a cut-off valve that shuts off the water flow while you wash your hair or soap up your body.

Recycling water starts in the kitchen: Water house plants with the water used to wash vegetables or other fresh produce

Take advantage of summer thunderstorms: Put a barrel outdoors to catch rainwater, then use that water for things like watering plants or flushing toilets and save hundreds of litres of water a year.

Turn the tap off: Don’t leave the water running while you are soaping your hands or brushing your teeth.

References

www.waterwise.co.za
www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/heat-wave
www.ageuk.org.uk