Health expert gives tips on how to celebrate 4th of July safely

DELMARVA. – It’s one of America’s favorite holidays, and this year, many will be celebrating the 4th of July in the scorching heat.

That’s why health experts, like GW Smith with Atlantic General Health Systems warn, if you’re going to be celebrating with a few cold ones in hand, you’ll need to do so responsibly, to not wear your body out.

“Alcohol in itself can increase your heart rate, can cause further stress on your heart and other vital organs, and without having water in conjunction, it can further dehydrate you as well, because it makes you go to the bathroom a lot,” Smith said.

As your body works overtime to cool itself from the heat, Smith said a healthy pre-game should be on your schedule the night before the holiday, so you’ll have head start to all of your outdoor activities.

“Start drinking tonight. Not alcohol, water,” Smith said.

“Start hydrating tonight, make sure you’re very well hydrated tomorrow morning, if your plan is to go out and have a big active day and be with the family,” Smith added.

Of course, you’ll want to have fun, but Smith stressed you have to do so safely.
If the temps become too unbearable, he said that’s your body’s way of telling you to take it easy.

“If you feel like the heat’s getting too much, the humidity is getting too much, the sun is getting too much, your cognition is slowing down, you’re not making the decisions you normally would, it’s time to stop and really take a judgment on what you should be doing to be responsible,” Smith said.