Did you know heat strokes can happen even when you’re indoors? Here’s how you can prevent them

While dealing with the heat is a constant in every Malaysian’s life—and we’ve so far managed to co-exist with it, by hook or by crook—there are instances when the heat can get too much. Heat strokes don’t only happen when you’ve spent too much time outdoors under the sun. It can happen at home too.
Indoor heat strokes occur when the body goes over its core temperature of 40 degrees Celsius and is unable to cool itself down. Those who are particularly susceptible to this are babies and seniors as their natural ability to manage body temperature may not be fully developed or starts to deteriorate over time.
Symptoms of possible indoor heat strokes can also be dismissed as simple cases of feeling under the weather and may not strike immediately as a heat stroke. If you are currently caring for a child or senior, do take note of the following symptoms.
Symptoms to look out for in a heat stroke
- Diarrhea
- Excessive sweating
- Dizziness
- Inability to cool off
- Nausea
- Sleepiness
- Headaches
If you witness your child incessantly sweating even when they are sitting down or not exerting themselves, this could be a sign that the environmental temperature in your home may be too high.
Indoor temperatures can be just as hot as outdoor temperatures (or even hotter) depending on the size of your home. Those living in apartments or medium-sized homes could be at a higher risk of indoor heat strokes due to the limited space for air ventilation, which is usually the main cause of indoor heat strokes. Here are some ways to protect you and your family from indoor heat strokes in the near future:
Ways to prevent indoor heat strokes
- Remember to stay well-hydrated all day long
- Dress in light layers as much as possible
- Air conditioning is not necessary–as long as you can ventilate the room well enough; so a fan works too
- Take breaks in between rigorous physical activities
- Spritz room-temperature water or turn on an air-diffuser to reduce the indoor temperature
- During sleeping hours at night, do frequently check on sleeping children and avoid excessive wrapping up of blankets
- Open windows from time to time to allow fresh air into the room
If you or someone you know are experiencing extreme bouts of hallucinations or changes in mental state, such as extreme mood swings or distress and seizures, please seek medical help immediately.
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