BY: RIZALIE CALIBO
SIQUIJOR, June 24 (PIA)—With ‘extreme heat’ and El Nino occurring, Department of Science and Technology provincial director Mario de la Pena advises locals especially the farmers not to over expose to heat to avoid heat-related death and illnesses.
In a series of information caravan on El Nino, de la Pena said farmers are normally exposed to the sun but warned them that excessive sun exposure will cause skin cancer and other illnesses.
He advised them to start working very early in the morning and stop at about 10:00 a.m and restart later in the afternoon.
The Department of Health (DOH) has recently released health advisory on heat stroke.
It said the risk of getting heat stroke increases during hot and humid weather, especially if you are engaged in physical activities, are dehydrated, or have been directly exposed to the sun for too long.
Also during the information caravan, Information Officer Pamela Dominguez of the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) reminded the public to watch out for the following signs of heat exhaustion: intense thirst, dehydration, weakness or discomfort, dizziness or fainting, anxiety and headaches.
To prevent heat stroke, she said, one should limit the amount of time spent outdoors, drink plenty of water; avoid tea, coffee, soda and alcohol; wear a wide-brimmed hat and long-sleeved clothing outdoors; and schedule strenuous activities in the beginning or end of the day when it’s cooler.
Dominguez said one should not wait to be thirsty to drink because. “If you feel thirsty, that means, you are partly dehydrated, she said. (mbcn/RAC/PIA7-Siquijor)