Massive Heatwave Sweeps Across The Country, With Vegas Being No Exception

It seems like this summer is much hotter than it has ever been in the past, with most of the country experiencing highs of over 90 degrees and many places reaching over 110! And of course, being in the middle of the Mojave Desert, Las Vegas is no exception. Around the country heat shelters have been popping up to deal with the myriad injuries and illnesses that have been reported. Most in danger are the very young and the very old because their bodies cannot endure such high temperatures for extended periods of time. People of all ages, however, have experienced dehydration and heat stroke due to such heat.

Summers in Vegas are always hot so this year isn't a surprise. But most days so far this year have been above average, hinting that the high heat is here to stay. If you plan on visiting Las Vegas, be sure to be prepared. Put on sunblock before going outside and make sure that you and your family drink plenty of water. Most people don't realize how hot it is and how dehydrated they are before it is too late. Don't spend too much time outside especially in the sun. If you must be outside take precautions to stay cool by trying to find shade or using a sun umbrella and keeping plenty of cold water with you to drink often. Even if you aren't necessarily thirsty you need to make sure and drink plenty. The average daily intake is 8 8 ounce glasses of water and in the heat you should have more than the recommended 64 oz. Try to find places with air conditioning if you don't have it at home. Many public places like stores, libraries, movie theaters etc. have air conditioning that you can enjoy. If you are in Las Vegas they casinos all have massive air conditioning systems to make sure to keep their customers happy and comfortable and most Las Vegas hotel rooms have personal thermostats that you can use to keep your room as cool as you want. Also be sure to keep an eye on kids and the elderly and make sure that they have plenty of fluids to drink. Soda is bad for the body when in extreme heat as the sodium actually dehydrates your body. Coffee and teas are also not as good at keeping you hydrated. Besides plain water, sports drinks like Gatorade and Powerade are also good as they contain electrolytes that are lost when you sweat without having too much bad sodium to dehydrate your body. If you know people who are very old and live by themselves, make sure to check in on them during the day to make sure that they are alright.