It was a scorcher this week. A local weather station recorded a high of 35.9°C, and on the same day the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS) put the heat index- how hot it actually feels once humidity is factored in- at 36°C for Piarco and 35°C for Crown Point. TTMS also flagged a moderate concentration of Saharan dust in the atmosphere that day, so anyone with asthma or other respiratory sensitivities should take extra care whenever the haze returns.
Conditions like these raise the risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, particularly for outdoor workers, older adults, young children, and anyone with a chronic health condition. Here’s a practical, source-backed guide to staying safe and hydrated until things cool off.
Hydration: don’t wait until you’re thirsty
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is clear on this: drink more water than usual, and don’t wait until you feel thirsty to start. Thirst lags behind actual fluid loss, so by the time you notice it, you’re already a step behind.
- Carry water and sip regularly throughout the day, not just at mealtimes.
- Cut back on alcohol and very sugary or caffeinated drinks; they can make dehydration worse.
- If you’re sweating heavily or working outdoors, top up electrolytes too (a pinch of salt, an oral rehydration sachet, or an electrolyte drink), not just plain water.
- Watch the very young and the elderly. They’re less able to sense and respond to rising body temperature, so they need reminders to drink.
Know the difference: heat exhaustion vs heat stroke
According to the US National Weather Service (NWS), heat-related illness moves through stages, and knowing which stage you’re in changes what you should do.
Heat exhaustion
Signs: heavy sweating, cool or clammy skin, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, and a fast but weak pulse.
What to do: move to a cool or air-conditioned space, loosen tight clothing, apply cool wet cloths (or take a cool bath), and sip water. Get medical help if the person vomits, symptoms get worse, or they don’t improve within an hour.
Heat stroke (medical emergency)
Signs: body temperature above 39.4°C (103°F), confusion, slurred speech, throbbing headache, and possible loss of consciousness.
What to do: call for emergency medical help immediately. Move the person to a cooler space and start cooling them (cool cloths, a cool bath) while waiting for help to arrive. Do not give fluids to someone who is confused or unconscious.
General heat safety tips
- Limit strenuous outdoor activity to early morning or evening, and avoid the midday peak (roughly 11 AM to 3 PM) where possible.
- Wear light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing and a hat if you’re out in the sun.
- Never leave children, older adults, or pets alone in a parked vehicle, even briefly. Vehicle interiors heat up fast, and this can be fatal.
- Check in on elderly neighbours, relatives, or anyone who lives alone, especially if they don’t have a fan or air conditioning.
- If the Saharan dust haze is bothering you, keep windows closed during the day and limit prolonged outdoor exertion, particularly if you have asthma or another respiratory condition.
- If you work outside, take breaks in the shade or indoors, and pace physical tasks rather than pushing through the heat.
Stay cool, stay hydrated, and look out for each other, T&T. Heat like this isn’t a one-off, so it’s worth keeping these steps in mind for the rest of the dry season.
Sources: Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (metoffice.gov.tt); US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Protect Yourself From the Dangers of Extreme Heat”; US National Weather Service, “Heat Cramps, Exhaustion, Stroke” (weather.gov/safety/heat-illness).
Author: TriniGo.com
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