Health officials urge Jamaicans to drink water and limit sun as heat intensifies

Authorities are asking Jamaicans to act early to avoid dehydration and other illnesses linked to extreme heat, as the island continues to record unusually high temperatures.

Gerald Miller, Health Promotion and Education Officer for Westmoreland, said the present conditions raise the likelihood of heat stress and heat exhaustion, especially among children, older people, and anyone working or staying outdoors for long stretches.

He explained that staying in intense heat for extended periods can bring on heat cramps, heat rashes, and heat stress—a state in which the body loses too much fluid and struggles to regulate its temperature.

According to Miller, symptoms that should raise concern include fatigue, sluggishness, headaches, light-headedness, fainting, nausea, vomiting, confusion, muscle spasms, intense thirst, and noticeably less urine.

He urged the public to sip water steadily through the day and to cut back on alcoholic and sweet drinks, which can speed fluid loss.

"We are encouraging people to take their water bottles with them because if you don't consume an adequate amount of water, you can become dehydrated," he cautioned.

Miller also recommended lightweight, loose garments in breathable materials, resting in shaded areas where possible, and keeping time in direct sunlight to a minimum.

For those outdoors for hours at a time, he advised applying broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF).

"That will help to protect us from harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun, and that can be reapplied regularly if you are sweating or spending a long time outside," Miller pointed out.

He further asked residents to pause often during heavy physical work to lower the chance of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Miller reminded parents to keep children well supplied with fluids and encouraged everyone to follow weather updates and respect official heat warnings.