Atlanta has been called Hotlanta since before I can even remember but what many people don’t realize is that this is not just a nickname. Spend a few hours outside in Georgia between the months of May and September and you will understand what exactly Hotlanta really is. Summer is supposed to be hot but there comes a point when the summer heat becomes dangerous heat.
The temperatures in the summer usually average out to about 92 degrees but what people don’t realize is that the heat index in Georgia can be so high that it will feel like temperatures in the triple digits. The heat index is an index that combines air temperature and the relative humidity to determine an apparent temperature. The summer months are usually spent outside but what people don’t realize is that this can be very dangerous and risky especially for people not use to southern summers. My friend was born and raised in Orange County, California she had never been anywhere East until last summer. She arrived in Hotlanta around 2 PM in June, not one minute after walking outside the airport she was asking me how I lived here and how I could breathe. This is when I realized how much of a culture shock the Georgia heat is. I didn’t understand what she meant at first but she then began to explain to me, she felt like she couldn’t breathe, the air was so thick and sticky. I was born and raised in Georgia so I don’t know any different; I have never spent my summers anywhere but in the South. I know how to handle the heat and what to do to stay cool but many people visiting Atlanta have no clue how to survive these sweltering temperatures. That is where I come in.
There are two sides to these summer days, your safety and health in the heat and what to do while staying cool at the same time. Keeping cool is one of the most important things in the summer heat; failing to do so can be very detrimental to your health. Follow these steps and you will make it to October.
1. Be smart. Keep cool.
2. Drink lots of fluid. The best choice is water and limit the alcoholic drinks by the pool!
3. Wear appropriate clothing. If you can wear shorts that’s a pretty good indication that it is time to put the ugg boots back with the winter clothes!
4. Slowly adjust to being outside. This is most important for people not use to the southern heat. Pace yourself.
5. Watch for signs of heat stroke or heat exhaustion.
Heat stroke and heat exhaustion are the two most dangerous heat-related illnesses. Heat stroke is the most serious, it occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature. This means that your body temperature rises rapidly, then your sweating mechanism fails, at this point your body is unable to cool itself down. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if you do not seek help right away. The symptoms of heat stroke normally consist of the following:
o High body temperature above 103 degrees
o Red, hot, dry skin. No sweat
o Rapid pulse
o Intense headache
o Dizzy
o Nausea
o Confusion
o Unconsciousness
Heat exhaustion is the less dangerous of heat-related illness that takes several days to develop from exposure to high temperatures and dehydration. The signs of heat exhaustion are:
o Heavy sweating
o Pale skin
o Cramps
o Tired and weak
o Dizziness
o Headache
o Nausea and or vomiting
o Often followed by fainting
If experiencing heat exhaustion your skin will be cool and moist and your breathing will be fast and short. If you do not treat heat exhaustion, it could possibly develop into heat stroke.
The excessive heat in Georgia’s summer season makes the chances of experiencing one of these heat related illnesses much greater than other states. The only way to entirely avoid this is to stay indoors at all times. Who wants to do that over summer break though? There are many attractions and things to do that should keep heat stroke and exhaustion far away from you as long as you stick to the guidelines. Some of the most popular attractions during the summer time are as follows: Six Flags White Water, Six Flags Over Georgia Theme Park, Stone Mountain, Centennial Olympic Park, or the local pool. White Water is the largest water park in the South and has 50 water slides and attractions. You can slide down one of the world’s tallest slides the Cliff Hanger or cool off and relax in the lazy river that wraps around the whole park. If you aren’t a water person but you enjoy theme parks then Six Flags over Georgia is right up your alley. With 35 thrilling rides and the new Goliath, the South’s tallest and largest roller coaster. Reaching 200 feet up into the Atlanta skyline and spreading across 8.5 acres, reaching speeds of 70 miles an hour this monster is sure to keep you cool. Maybe thrill rides aren’t for you. If you prefer hiking and being outdoors while also learning, Stone Mountain is your place to see and be seen this summer. Not only is it the world's largest relief carving on the world's largest mass of exposed granite it is located on 3,200 acres of natural Georgia beauty. The park has over 15 miles of trails and a 3.2-mile trail to the top of the mountain. It may sound hot because it is an outdoor attraction but most of the park is covered in trees with ample shade. There is also a water park and a lake with a beach for those dog hot days of August. If as a child you spent your summers running carefree through the sprinklers, you wont find that in Georgia. The excessive heat causes many water restrictions because of the little amount of rain we get. There is hope though; Centennial Olympic Park is home to the Fountain of Rings. The Fountain of Rings is a great way to cool off when the summer heat gets to you. In the middle of downtown Atlanta and the centerpiece of the park it is one of the most recognized and photographed landmarks in Georgia. Although all those attractions are great things to do in Georgia, some of the best summer days come from lounging at the local pool until it gets dark. There is only one downside to this plan though. The heat forces many of the guests to be in waters at all times while being out by the pool. This causes crowds and the water to not be as cold as most would like it but the pool is the longest and most loved tradition of hot southern summers.
In conclusion to survive a summer in Georgia, it takes a lot of hard work. Just remember if you want to make it out to taste those simple pleasures of fall you’ve got to spend it taking it easy and keeping cool.
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