Beat the Heat: Staying Safe at the Polls on Scorching Election Days

During the next few hours, the community is preparing to exercise its right to vote, while high temperatures are being announced in several regions of the country. These days of intense heat can represent a health risk, especially for older people and people with chronic diseases, who are more susceptible to decompensation, heat stroke and dehydration. Therefore, it is imperative to take preventive measures to ensure a smooth election.

Valeska Lucero, an academic in the Nursing Career at the UDLA Viña del Mar Campus, provides the following recommendations, calling on the community to “exercise your vote responsibly, prioritizing your physical well-being and the well-being of your loved ones, applying measures simple difference for a safe election day without health complications.”

• Protecting older people and vulnerable groups (chronic diseases): more vulnerable to the negative effects of heat and the worsening of pre-existing conditions. It is very important to give them priority in the voting lines and that they are present in the company of others.
• Skin care: Before leaving home, it is recommended to apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 50 or higher, ensuring that it offers enough protection (UVA and UVB rays) and is water resistant. The skin is the organ that protects the whole organism, so we have to take care of it.
• Wear light, fresh clothes: preferably light colors, avoiding black; Use hats or umbrellas to protect yourself from the sun.
• Avoid going to vote during the hottest hours: Between 12:00 and 16:00 is the hottest time and when the UV index is highest, so you should avoid exposing yourself to the sun.
• Stay hydrated and well fed: Go to the polls with cold water and drink regularly, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid drinking alcohol, coffee and sugary liquids, as they can promote dehydration. Ideally eat fresh fruit and vegetables before going to vote.
• Do not forget to take medicines: It is important to adhere well to pharmacological treatments and not forget to take medication before going out to vote in order to avoid possible decompensation due to a pre-existing illness.
• Rest and avoid fatigue: Maintaining good sleep hygiene and eating healthy is part of self-care. The days before the elections you should sleep well to keep your body in the best condition to prevent decompensation.
• Recognize the symptoms of heatstroke: one of its causes is prolonged exposure to high temperatures or direct sun. The symptoms are body temperature above 40°C, hot and dry skin, confusion, disorientation, dizziness, difficulty speaking, loss of consciousness, rapid and shallow breathing, increased heartbeat, headache, nausea, vomiting, weakness and cramps. In this situation, you should call the ambulance on 131 and, while it arrives, move the affected person to a cool place and apply cold patches to areas such as the neck.