The Heat Is On: Preventing Heat-Related Illnesses

September 7, 2019

Media Contact: Lori Fogleman, Baylor University Media and Public Relations, 254-710-6275
Follow us on Twitter: @BaylorUMedia

WACO, Texas (Sept. 7, 2019) – With temperatures expected around 100 degrees at kickoff of the Baylor-UTSA football game Saturday, Sept. 7, fans are encouraged to take measures to stay cool and hydrated before, during and after the game.

Fans can bring one clear, empty water bottle, 1 liter or less, inside McLane Stadium. Hydration stations are located on the “I Believe Walkway” and inside the stadium near the student section. Water fountains are located throughout the stadium around the 100 and 200 level concourses.

For the safety of fans in McLane Stadium, first aid stations are located on the concourse near sections 102, 125, 210 and 228. If you need assistance or you are with someone who does, contact the nearest event staff team member, aid station or law enforcement officer.

For more information about McLane Stadium policies, visit baylorbears.com.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heat-related illnesses, like heat exhaustion or heat stroke, happen when the body is not able to properly cool itself.

The National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH) offers these tips for preventing heat-related illness:

Stay Cool

Wear Appropriate Clothing: Choose lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
Cool Off: If you become lightheaded, confused, weak or faint, get into a cool area or into the shade, and rest.
Wear Sunscreen: Sunburn affects your body’s ability to cool down and can make you dehydrated. Protect yourself by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes prior to going out. Reapply according to the package directions.
Avoid Hot and Heavy Meals: They add heat to your body.

Stay Hydrated

Drink Plenty of Fluids: Drink more fluids, regardless of how active you are. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.
Stay away from very sugary or alcoholic drinks: These actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.
Replace Salt and Minerals: Heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from the body that need to be replaced. A sports drink can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat.

Stay Informed

Know the Signs: Learn the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses and how to treat them.
Use a Buddy System: When in the heat, monitor the condition of your family and friends and have someone do the same for you.
Monitor Those at High Risk: Although anyone at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others, such as Infants and young children, people 65 years of age or older or those with chronic illnesses.

September is National Preparedness Month, an opportune time for Baylor University’s Department of Public Safety to share information regarding safety and security with new and returning students, faculty and staff on campus.

Baylor DPS has launched “Sic ‘em for Safety,” a safety awareness campaign aimed at providing the Baylor community with resources and information related to personal safety, including heat illness prevention.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 17,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 90 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.