Heat stress and heat stroke are very real risks, especially for officers working outdoors during the summer. A Kevlar vest and duty belt can hold in heat and be very uncomfortable, especially in high humidity. While we can’t do anything about the temperature outside, we can offer some tips to keep cool.

• If possible, keep a cooler in your patrol car.
• Fill a spray bottle with water and keep it in the cooler for a quick refreshing spray to your head and face.
• Freeze plastic bottles of water at home and take them with you when reporting for duty. You can hold them on your neck or against your face for an instant cool off and, as the ice melts, you will have a supply of cold water.
• Stay hydrated. Drink at least 8 ounces of water every hour.
• Drink a cold sports drink with electrolytes which will help replace the minerals you lose when you sweat. Don’t forget to drink water after you drink the sports drink to completely rehydrate.
• Try to avoid caffeine. We know it’s hard, but caffeine promotes dehydration.
• Avoid sugary drinks. They can cause you to lose more body fluids.
• Avoid heavy meals. Stick with eating cool foods, such as salads, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, and low-fat, cool dairy products such as yogurts. Watermelons, cucumbers, and oranges are especially healthy in hot weather since they are made almost entirely of fluids.
• If you can, invest in a small dashboard fan, which can circulate the air in your patrol car and increase the effectiveness of your air conditioning. If you are working inside, consider a small desk fan. There are also some battery-operated fans that can be attached to water bottles to spray a cooling mist.