Following the issuance of a hot spell warning by the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service, the Ministry of Health is urging members of the public to take the necessary precautions to safeguard their health as very high temperatures (heated conditions) can be dangerous.
Among the suggested precautions:
- Staying Hydrated by consuming fruits and vegetables and lots of water.
- Avoiding strenuous exercise during the hottest times of the day (usually 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) and
- Staying indoors or in shaded areas, when possible.
- Wearing loose-fitting, lightweight, light coloured clothing,
- Wearing sunscreen with SPF 30 and above.
The Ministry says we must also be aware of the signs of heat stroke and heat exhaustion such as:
- A body temperature 39 °C or higher
- Cold, pale, and clammy skin
- Fast, weak pulse in the case of heat exhaustion) or fast, strong pulse in the case of heat stroke
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Muscle cramps
- Dizziness, confusion and fainting.
As the hot weather persists, remember to check on family, particularly the elderly and children.
Schools are also being advised to take additional precautions against high temperatures by the Ministry of Education.
In a release, the Ministry said parents, teachers, and administrators are advised to take precautionary measures beyond those already being implemented, if required, to safeguard staff and students against the effects of these high temperatures.
At the Launch of the Ministry’s EdU Talk Series on Friday, Line Minister Dr. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly said dealing with such conditions is nothing new for school administrators.