I'm So Hot/Overcoming Heatwave

Finally, a reason to say "I'm hot" to people...

"Hot" is the word on Malaysian mind right now, with heatwaves sweeping across our nation. This picture showed exactly how we Malaysian felt right now— too close to the sun. I picked this up at twitter.. somebody just makes
a meme about how hot it was.

At 9.am the temperature was around 30 celsius hot and at mid-day, it was 34 celsius.

It's hot my cat even sleep on the floor at night, normally she sleeps on her favorite chair.

Unluckily for me, I do not have an air conditioner at home (a must have if you are living in Malaysia) so sleeping at night these past days is a sweaty one LOL. It's so hot I dreamt about drinking cold water— true story!

Typhoon Lan
The reason for this heatwaves is because "Typhoon Lan" that circling the Western Pacific Ocean causing the air humidity to shift from Peninsular Malaysia
(West Malaysia: where I am now) to Sabah and Sarawak (East Malaysia or Borneo). This hot climate is expected to continue on until next week.

Nevertheless, the story is the opposite in Sabah Sarawak. As a result, Sabah and Sarawak are experiencing heavy rain and thunderstorm.

So currently we have 2 different harsh weather that hit Malaysia.

1000 residents in Kota Belud, Sabah has been evacuated following the flash flood

Arial view of flash flood in Kota Belud
Source: NST

My prayers to those affected.

Health Risks From Heatwave

The health risks from this heatwave are something that not to be taken lightly. Dehydration is the most common effect of hot temperature. The most dangerous risk associating with heatwave is Heatstroke. Heatstroke is a condition where the body can no longer control its temperature. Heatstroke can result in people become confused, disorientated, and fall unconscious. Heatstroke can be fatal and if it is untreated early, it can lead to organ failure and brain damage.

More mild risks associated with heatwave are rashes, fluid retention, dizziness and fainting.

Who's at Risk?
Everyone feels the heat, but it imposes higher risk at this certain group.

• Older people 75 years above
• Babies and young children as they dehydrate sooner than adult
• Pregnant woman and breastfeeding mothers
• People who work outdoor: General worker, labor worker, athletes, despatch
• People who work indoor but expose to heat: baker, chef
• People with respiratory diseases

Overcoming Heatwave

Drink more

During extremely hot weather, drink twice as much compared to normal days. Do not wait until your are thirsty. Avoid caffeinated or sugary drinks and alcohol which can worsen dehydration

Identify the coolest room in the house

Change to more cooler room if you have to. Like myself, I ditch my room and sleep at the living hall.

If your room has a reflective material, put it outside the window. Pull down the shade and close the window when it is hotter outside. You can open the windows for ventilation when it is cooler.

Avoid the Heat At All Cost

If you think that you are vulnerable to the effect of heat, stay out of the sun and don't go out between 11am and 3pm (the hottest part of the day). For our body to function normally, the temperature of our body should be around the range of 35.5 to 37.5°C as this protects our vital organs. Take shade whenever possible or go to inside air conditioning area is the best way to cool down.

Damp a Towel

Too cool yourself, place damp towels around neck and shoulders and place your feet in basin or bucket of cool water.

If you live in the urban areas, you are at higher risk from the effects of a prolonged heatwave than those living in rural areas. Concrete will store heat longer and release it at night making night time temperature high. In whatever you do, observe body temperature and reserve outdoor activity until it is safer to do so. Take care.

Check out my other posts too:

• Movie review-Midnight Runner(Korean)

• Jalan-jalan Saturday

• Why Asians Take a Photo With V-sign?

• Movie review-Flatliners

• Metropolitan sunset at KL

• What this husband did for his wife gonna make you cry

• Black and white photo

Keep and drink more water,