• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing, and a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more.
  • Drink a lot of fluids to prevent dehydration, around eight glasses of water, fruit juice, or vegetable juice a day such as aam pana or nimbu paani.
  • Preferably, reschedule or cancel outdoor activity. If possible, shift your time outdoors to the coolest times of the day, either early morning or after sunset.
  • If you are working or exercising outdoors, drink a minimum of 2 cups of fluid two hours before going out in the sun, another 8 glasses of water or sports drink right before starting work or exercise.
  • While outdoors, drink 8 cups of water every 20 minutes, even if you aren’t thirsty.
  • Avoid caffeine and alcohol, due to their fluid loss effect. Avoid fluids containing caffeine or alcohol, because both substances can make you lose more fluids and worsen heat-related illness. Also, do not take salt tablets unless your doctor has told you to do so. The easiest and safest way to replace salt and other electrolytes during heat waves is to drink sports beverages or fruit juice.
  • Consult with your primary care physician before increasing liquid intake if you have epilepsy, heart, kidney, or liver disease; are on fluid-restricted diets; or have a problem with fluid retention.