Tips to Beat the Heat this Summer

Posted On: July 11, 2024

With the heat index regularly topping 100 degrees, Volusia County Emergency Management officials recommend that people without air conditioning escape dangerous temperatures by finding cool places. This is especially important for children, the elderly, and people with disabilities or chronic illnesses, all of whom are particularly vulnerable to heat.

A cool place to start is the library. Volusia County's 14 public library branches are free and open to the public all year long. While you’re there, you can find a good book or magazine, log on to a computer, and even take part in some of the many programs the libraries offer.

If libraries aren’t your cup of tea, consider enjoying the cool water and ocean breezes at Volusia County's beaches. Or, you can make a trip to a mall, go to a movie theater, or visit a museum.

Heat-related illnesses

Heat exhaustion begins with heavy sweating, cold and clammy skin, nausea or vomiting, muscle cramps weakness, dizziness, headache, and possible fainting. If you experience these symptoms, move to a cool place, loosen your clothes, put cool, wet clothes on your body or take a cool shower, and sip water. Seek medical attention immediately if you are vomiting, your symptoms get worse, or your symptoms last longer than one hour.

Heat stroke is a medical emergency. It’s characterized by a body temperature of 103 degrees or higher, hot and red skin, rapid pulse, headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and possible loss of consciousness. Call 911 right away, move the person to a cooler place, and lower the person’s temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath. Do not give the person anything to drink.

Stay cool

• Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothing.
• Stay indoors in air conditioning, especially during the hottest part of the day.
• Schedule outdoor activities for early morning or later evening hours.
• Make a cold compress. If you find it hard to cool your body down, wet a washcloth with cold water or fill a bag with ice and then place on your forehead, the back of your neck, or your wrists for some quick cooling comfort. If you use ice, place a towel between the ice and your skin.
• Spray yourself with water. When temperatures soar, spritzing yourself with some cool water can keep you comfortable. As the water evaporates on your skin, it cools you.
• Create your own AC. If you don’t have an air conditioner, place a shallow bowl of ice in front of a fan to cool off the air that blows through the room.

Stay hydrated

• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Drinking water is best. Avoid drinks with alcohol, caffeine, or lots of sugar. You may need to drink more than usual if you are exercising or sweating excessively. Foods with a high water content, like watermelon, are also hydrating.
• Drink sports drinks to replace salts and minerals after excessive sweat.

Stay informed

• Know the warning signs of heat-related illnesses and how to treat them.
• Check the news regularly for weather updates.
• Check on your neighbors and friends.

Additional precautions

“If you feel overheated or unwell, act immediately,” said Emergency Management Director Clint Mecham. “Stop any strenuous activity, go somewhere cool, drink water or an electrolyte beverage, and cool off by taking a cold shower or holding something cold against your skin. Call someone for help or call 911 – before your condition compromises your thinking skills.”

Never, ever leave children, older adults, or pets alone in a car.

Libraries are Cooling Centers

As Central Florida deals with another hot summer, Volusia County officials have designated the County’s 14 public library branches as cooling stations. Bottled water is available upon request.

Residents can seek refuge from the searing heat and humidity at any of these locations:

• Daytona Beach Regional Library, 105 Jackie Robinson Parkway, Daytona Beach
  Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday
   
• DeBary Public Library, 200 N. Charles R. Beall Blvd., DeBary
  Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday
   
• DeLand Regional Library, 130 E. Howry Ave., DeLand
  Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday
   
• Deltona Regional Library, 2150 Eustace Ave., Deltona
  Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday
   
• Edgewater Public Library, 103 W. Indian River Blvd., Edgewater
  Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday
   
• Hope Place Public Library, 1310 Wright St., Daytona Beach
  Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday
   
• John H. Dickerson Heritage Library, 411 S. Keech St., Daytona Beach
  Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday
   
• Lake Helen Public Library, 221 N. Euclid Ave., Lake Helen
  Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
   
• New Smyrna Beach Regional Library, 1001 S. Dixie Freeway, New Smyrna Beach
  Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday
   
• Oak Hill Public Library, 125 E. Halifax Ave., Oak Hill
  Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
   
• Orange City Public Library, 148 Albertus Way, Orange City
  Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
   
• Ormond Beach Regional Library, 30 S. Beach St., Ormond Beach
  Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday
   
• Pierson Public Library, 115 N. Volusia Ave., Pierson
  Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
   
• Port Orange Regional Library, 1005 City Center Circle, Port Orange
  Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Animals Suffer in the Heat Too

If it's too hot for you to go outside, it's also too hot for your pets. Keep a constant eye on your animals when they are outside. Heat stress happens quickly, with little or no warning. Once the signs of heat stress are detected, there is little time before it develops into heat stroke and serious damage can occur.  Be sure you know the signs and symptoms of heat stress, as it could save your pet’s life.

The key symptoms of overheating in pets are excessive panting, stupor, and collapse. Other symptoms include difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and seizures.

Volusia County Animal Services recommends that pet owners follow these safety tips:

• Keep plenty of clean, cool drinking water available at all times.
• Keep your pet indoors during the hottest times of the day.
• Never leave your pet in a parked car, even for a minute.
• Protect your pet from the sun. If your pet must stay in the yard (instead of the cool indoors, which is recommended), make sure there is adequate shade and ventilation.
• To help your pet stay cool, clip coats short, but not shaven. Sunburn is a danger to animals, especially light-colored animals.
• Dog pads burn easily, so avoid hot surfaces such as asphalt on hot days. Exercise pets in the morning or evening when it’s cooler.

If your pet is overcome by the heat, place a cool, wet towel on the animal. When the towel becomes warm, replace it with another cool towel. Never immerse a pet in ice cold water as it may cause shock!

Catch Some Balmy Breezes at the Beach

The heat advisories in Volusia County and other parts of Florida have also meant warmer ocean temperatures. Volusia County's waters are hovering around 83.5 degrees - still cool enough to be comfortable, but not dangerously hot.

When the sun is blazing and the temperatures are soaring, it's important to know how to beat the heat and enjoy your beach day to the fullest. While the beach is all about soaking up the sun, it's essential to take breaks and seek shade to avoid overheating.

When visiting the beach, follow these tips:

• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Avoid alcohol, which can dehydrate you.
• Seek shade. Take breaks under umbrellas, canopies, or beach tents to limit direct sun exposure.
• Wear light clothing. Dress in lightweight, loose-fitting, and light-colored clothing to help keep your body cool.
• Use sunscreen. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30. Reapply every hour and after swimming or sweating.
• Take cool breaks. Take a dip in the ocean or use a wet towel on your neck and forehead to cool down.
• Listen to your body. If you start feeling dizzy, weak, or nauseous, seek shade and hydrate immediately.

Volusia County offers three dog-friendly beaches. You can find them at Lighthouse Point Park in Ponce Inlet, Smyrna Dunes Park in New Smyrna Beach, and Rockefeller Drive to Milsap Road in Ormond Beach. Make sure your dog doesn't get overheated by following these tips: 

• Some dogs are prone to heat stress. These include dogs with short muzzles (bulldogs, boxers, pugs, etc.) who need short, supervised visits outside and very limited exercise in the heat. Others more prone to overheating are puppies who are under 6 months of age or senior dogs who are over 7 years old. Peak heat times of the season may not be recommended for a beach visit with these pets.
• Keep your dog hydrated. Saltwater and increases in the normal level of exercise or excitement will dehydrate and overheat your pet exponentially faster and can make them ill. Always bring drinkable water and provide plenty of breaks for your pet on any trips outside the home.
• Beach sand can get hot too! If it's too hot for your bare hand, it’s too hot for their paws. Burns can be experienced in less than a minute and require urgent veterinary care. If you’re on the sand, allow your pet to walk on the water’s edge to protect their pads.

Keep your Cool in the Garden

The summer garden seems to have an endless amount of work to be done; the grass needs mowing, the weeds need to be pulled, and everything needs maintaining. But working in the garden during the summer can put gardeners at risk from the unforgiving Florida heat.

The folks at the UF/IFAS Extension encourage you to take necessary precautions and try to work in the morning before the temperatures get too high. A hat is a must, as is sunscreen. Always apply sunscreen to exposed skin before working outside. Even a few minutes in the sun can burn unprotected skin. And it can’t be said enough: reapply often! Long sleeves and pants may seem counterintuitive, but lightweight, light-colored clothing will keep you cool while still protecting your skin.

Don’t stay outside for too long and remember to take breaks often to rest and cool off. Keep water nearby, and drink—even if you don’t feel thirsty.

If you can, work outside in the early morning before the heat of the day becomes oppressive. The evenings might be cool enough for gardening, but you may have to contend with mosquitoes.

If you are suffering from heat exhaustion, you need to cool yourself down. Get into a cooler place and drink water. Be careful going into a highly air-conditioned area if you have been out in the heat too long, some people can find the sudden temperature change disorienting and may even lose consciousness.