Losing power any time of year sucks.

Losing power in the summer, however, poses an entirely different slate of challenges than losing it in the Winter – and in some cases, those threats are more dangerous!

Beware of dehydration and heat-related illnesses

Dehydration is the state that occurs when you use or lose more fluid than you take in, and your body doesn’t have enough water and other fluids to carry out its normal functions. Your electrolytes are out of balance., which can lead to increasingly serious problems.

Symptoms of electrolyte imbalances include dizziness, fatigue, nausea (with or without vomiting), constipation, dry mouth, dry skin, muscle weakness, stiff or aching joints, confusion, delirium, rapid heart rate, twitching, blood pressure changes, seizures, and convulsions.

Dehydration can lead to very serious side effects, including death.

Following are the most common dehydration-related ailments.

Heat cramps: Heat cramps are painful, brief muscle cramps. Muscles may spasm or jerk involuntarily. Heat cramps can occur during exercise or work in a hot environment or begin a few hours following such activities.

Heat exhaustion: Often accompanied by dehydration, heat exhaustion is a heat-related illness that can occur after you’ve been exposed to high temperatures.

There are two types of heat exhaustion:

• Water depletion. Signs include excessive thirst, weakness, headache, and loss of consciousness.

• Salt depletion. Signs include nausea and vomiting, muscle cramps, and dizziness.

Heat stroke: Heat stroke is the most serious form of heat injury and is considered a medical emergency. Heat stroke results from prolonged exposure to high temperatures—usually in combination with dehydration—which leads to failure of the body’s temperature control system. The medical definition of heat stroke is a core body temperature greater than 105°F, with complications involving the central nervous system that occur after exposure to high temperatures. Other common symptoms include nausea, seizures, confusion, disorientation, and, sometimes, loss of consciousness or coma.

How to Treat Dehydration

People who are suffering from dehydration must replace fluids and electrolytes. The most common way to do this is through oral rehydration therapy (ORT). In extreme cases, fluids must be given intravenously. In a disaster situation, hospitals may not be readily available, so every effort should be made to prevent the situation from reaching
that level of severity.

Humans cannot survive without electrolytes, which are minerals in your blood and other bodily fluids that carry an electric charge. They are important because they are what your cells (especially those in your nerves, heart, and muscles) use to maintain voltages across cell membranes and to carry electrical impulses (nerve impulses and muscle contractions) across themselves and to other cells. Electrolytes, especially sodium, also help your body maintain its water balance.

Water itself does not contain electrolytes, but dehydration can cause serious electrolyte imbalances.

In most situations, avoid giving the dehydrated person salt tablets. Fresh, cool water is the best cure. In extreme temperatures or after very strenuous activities, electrolyte replacement drinks can be given. Sports drinks such as Gatorade can help replenish lost electrolytes. For children, rehydration beverages like Pedialyte can be helpful.

Store lots of water

One of the best ways to avoid the heat-related problems above is to store lots of water.

You can’t always rely on the faucet in the kitchen. In the event of a disaster, the water may not run from the taps, and if it does, it might not be safe to drink, depending on the situation. If there is a boil order in place, remember that if the power is out, boiling your water may not be as easy as turning on your stove. If you are on a well and don’t have a back-up in place, you won’t have running water.

Each family should store a two week supply of water. The rule of thumb for drinking water is 1 gallon per day, per person. Don’t forget to stock water for your pets, also.

How to keep cooler during the blackout

This is easier said than done when it’s 105 and you can’t even run a fan.

Here are some ways to keep a little bit cooler when the grid is down:

• Get battery-operated fans. (And lots of batteries.) A battery-operated fan can help cool you down, particularly if you get yourself wet first. They’re reasonably inexpensive and work well, although I recommend spending a bit more than for the cheap ones at the dollar store.

• Stock up on cooling towels. I picked up some these cooling towels for use when I was working outside in the garden. I was stunned at how well they work. All you do is get them wet, wring them out, and give them a snap, then they cool you down, no power or refrigeration required. You can use them over and over again. They also come in these bands that can be worn around your head or neck.

• Channel your inner Southern belle. Slowly fan yourself with a handheld fan . Mint juleps are optional.

• Keep hydrated. Your body needs the extra water to help produce sweat, which cools you off.

• Change your schedule. There’s a reason that people who live near the equator close down their businesses and enjoy a midday siesta. Take a tepid shower and then, without drying off, lay down and try to take a nap. At the very least, do a quiet activity.

• Play in the water. Either place a kiddie pool in a shaded part of the yard or use the bathtub indoors. Find a nearby creek or pond for wading or swimming. (Note: Playing in the water isn’t just for kids!)

• Soak your feet. A foot bath full of tepid water can help cool you down.

• Avoid heavy meals. Your body has to work hard to digest heavy, rich meals, and this raises your temperature. Be gentle on your system with light, cool meals like salads and fruit.

• Make sure your window screens are in good condition. You’re going to need to have your windows open, but fighting off insects when you’re trying to sleep is a miserable and frustrating endeavor.

Be very conscious of food safety.

According to the Red Cross, if your freezer is half-filled and is not opened the entire time that the power is out, the food in it will remain sufficiently frozen for up to 24 hours. If it is completely filled, your food should remain safe for up to 48 hours. If the worst happens and your freezer full of meat does spoil, keep in mind that most homeowner’s and renter’s insurance policies will pay for their replacement, but unless you’ve lost a whole lot or your deductible is very small, it may not be worth making a claim.

I strongly recommend the purchase of a digital, instant-read thermometer. This has many kitchen uses, but in the event of a disaster is worth its weight in gold for determining food safety.

Food Categories Specific Foods Held above 40 °F for over 2 hours

MEAT, POULTRY, SEAFOOD

Raw or leftover cooked meat, poultry, fish, or seafood; soy meat substitutes – Discard
Thawing meat or poultry – Discard
Salads: Meat, tuna, shrimp, chicken, or egg salad – Discard
Gravy, stuffing, broth – Discard
Lunchmeats, hot dogs, bacon, sausage, dried beef – Discard
Pizza – with any topping – Discard
Canned hams labeled “Keep Refrigerated” – Discard
Canned meats and fish, opened – Discard
Casseroles, soups, stews – Discard

CHEESE

Soft Cheeses: blue/bleu, Roquefort, Brie, Camembert, cottage, cream, Edam, Monterey Jack, ricotta, mozzarella, Muenster, Neufchatel, queso blanco, queso fresco – Discard
Hard Cheeses: Cheddar, Colby, Swiss, Parmesan, provolone, Romano – Safe
Processed Cheeses – Safe
Shredded Cheeses – Discard
Low-fat Cheeses – Discard
Grated Parmesan, Romano, or combination (in can or jar) – Safe

DAIRY

Milk, cream, sour cream, buttermilk, evaporated milk, yogurt, eggnog, soy milk – Discard
Butter, margarine – Safe
Baby formula, opened – Discard

EGGS

Fresh eggs, hard-cooked in shell, egg dishes, egg products – Discard
Custards and puddings, quiche – Discard

FRUITS

Fresh fruits, cut – Discard
Fruit juices, opened – Safe
Canned fruits, opened – Safe
Fresh fruits, coconut, raisins, dried fruits, candied fruits, dates – Safe

SAUCES, SPREADS, JAMS

Opened mayonnaise, tartar sauce, horseradish – Discard if above 50 °F for over 8 hrs.
Peanut butter – Safe
Jelly, relish, taco sauce, mustard, catsup, olives, pickles – Safe
Worcestershire, soy, barbecue, hoisin sauces – Safe
Fish sauces, oyster sauce – Discard
Opened vinegar-based dressings – Safe
Opened creamy-based dressings – Discard
Spaghetti sauce, opened jar – Discard

BREAD, CAKES, COOKIES, PASTA, GRAINS

Bread, rolls, cakes, muffins, quick breads, tortillas – Safe
Refrigerator biscuits, rolls, cookie dough – Discard
Cooked pasta, rice, potatoes – Discard
Pasta salads with mayonnaise or vinaigrette – Discard
Fresh pasta – Discard
Cheesecake – Discard
Breakfast foods –waffles, pancakes, bagels – Safe

PIES, PASTRY

Pastries, cream filled – Discard
Pies – custard, cheese filled, or chiffon; quiche – Discard
Pies, fruit – Safe

VEGETABLES

Fresh mushrooms, herbs, spices – Safe
Greens, pre-cut, pre-washed, packaged – Discard
Vegetables, raw – Safe
Vegetables, cooked; tofu – Discard
Vegetable juice, opened – Discard
Baked potatoes – Discard
Commercial garlic in oil – Discard
Potato salad – Discard
Casseroles, soups, stews – Discard

Another way to combat the potential losses of a long-term summer power outage is to use other methods for preserving your feed. Canning and dehydration are not grid-dependent and can save you a whole lot of money and prevent a mess of rotting meat in your freezer.

In most cases, a power outage at any time of the year will only last a few hours and the damage, as well as the threat to your safety, will be minimal.

In some cases, however, a power outage can last for days and if that happens in the summer, the challenges you face are much different than facing a power outage in the winter.

To learn even more tips for dealing with a summer power outage, check out The Organic Prepper.