The Kenya Meteorological Department has predicted that the hot weather conditions will persist for the rest of the week in various counties amid Kenyans’ complaints about the sweltering heat that has affected certain parts of the country.
This notice will require citizens to brace themselves with tips on how to cope with the ‘unbearable heatwave’. Below are some of them:
- Stay indoors
During excessive heat opt to stay indoors and if you find the need to walk outside, ensure to bring sunscreen with you.
Also, stay in the shade, especially during the afternoon hours, dress lightly and wear a cap or sunglasses.
- Stay hydrated
Bring the heat down a notch by drinking water and taking cold showers.
It is highly advised to avoid drinking alcohol, hot drinks, and caffeine as it makes it harder for the body to regulate its temperature which could in turn lead to heat cramps from dehydration, resulting in the risk of organ failure.
- Avoid physical activities
Strenuous exercises during a hot day could lead to an illness called heat exhaustion. This is when the body temperature rises above what is considered normal, hence it cannot use sweat to cool itself.
In heat exhaustion, your body temperature is said to rise to up to 40°C. As a result, this could lead to feeling weak and dizzy which deprives the body of enough blood circulation.
It is highly advised to work out during the coolest part of the day which ranges from 4 am to 7 am.
- Keep your home cool
Ensure that the room temperature during the day and night is below 32°C and 24°C respectively. Keep the windows and shutters open at night and closed during the day, especially if they face the sun.
Electric fans can provide heatwave relief if the temperatures do not exceed 35°C, if they do it could lead to heat-related illnesses.
- Avoid intake of protein-rich foods
Most high protein foods, especially red meat lead to increased body heat. Therefore it is recommended to take mostly fruits and vegetables, such as watermelon, cucumbers, and coconut water which are said to provide extra water, hence cooling down body heat.
