Zee Media Bureau
Delhi: India is in a grip of devastating heatwave which has claimed more than 2000 lives so far.
So its imperative that you should take care of yourself and keep certain things in mind to tackle the heatwave.
The National Disaster Management Authority, Government of India has put up on its official website certain precautions that you must take.
They are the following:
- Avoid going out in the sun, especially between 12.00 noon and 3.00 PM.
- Drink enough water and as often as possible.
- Wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose, and porous cotton clothes.
- Use protective goggles, umbrella/hat, shoes or chappals while going out in sun.
- Avoid strenuous activities when the outside temperature is high.
- While traveling, carry water with you.
- Avoid alcohol, tea, coffee and carbonated soft drinks. They dehydrate the body.
- Avoid high-protein food and do not eat stale food.
- Use a hat or an umbrella while working outside and also use a damp cloth on your head, neck, face and limbs
- If you feel faint or ill, see a doctor immediately.
- Use ORS, homemade drinks like lassi, torani (rice water), lemon water, buttermilk, etc. which helps to re-hydrate the body.
- Keep your home cool, use curtains, shutters or sunshade and open windows at night.
- Use fans, damp clothing and take bath in cold water frequently.
- If a person suffers from heatstroke then he should be laid in a cool place and under a shade.
- Wipe her/him with a wet cloth/wash the body frequently. Pour normal temperature water on the head. The body temperature needs to be brought down.
- Give the person ORS to drink or lemon sarbat/torani or whatever is useful to rehydrate the body.
- Take the person immediately to the nearest health centre. The patient needs immediate hospitalisation, as heat strokes could be fatal.
Courtesy: NDMA, GOI
