Staying Safe and Productive in the Hot Weather with Your Utility Tractor
It’s about to get hot, right as the work’s really starting to pick up. You’re probably heading out in the fields with your utility tractor every day to tend to crops and other parts of your land. But with the heat comes a new wave of environmental hazards. You need to stay safe out there, to keep both your equipment and your body in peak working condition. To help you stay safe, Middletown Tractor Sales has provided some tips to stay cool this growing season and into the harvest. You can also stop by one of our locations in Fairmont and Buckhannon, West Virginia, or our Pennsylvania locations in Washington and Uniontown.
We are fully open for business! Please respect all walkway guidelines throughout our dealership to maintain 6 feet of distance, and ask about curbside pickup and other ways to stay safe and healthy.
Plan Your Work Day
Generally speaking, the hottest part of any day usually happens between 3 and 4:30 pm. Many tend to think it’s much earlier, closer to noon, but this isn’t the case. The sun needs a few more hours to cook the earth before you reach the expected high temperatures of the day.
Because of this, you’ll want to plan your day around this peak time. Take advantage of the cool morning and late evening environments to avoid unnecessary exposure to extreme heat. Even on relatively nice days, if you’re working up a sweat, you’re still vulnerable to heat-related health risks.
Also remember that “hottest part of the day” is relative. There might be some days when the morning starts out warm and only gets worse. Check the weather forecast to decide when it’s safe to work, and if a heat wave might keep you inside altogether.
Keep Hydrated
We cannot stress this enough. Make sure you have a container of water nearby at all times. Have ways to refill this container and keep sources of cool water handy, too. On average, you should be drinking 8 to 10 cups of water a day. When you’re sweating a lot and losing fluid, you might need to up your intake. Even if you’re not thirsty, maintain a healthy intake of water to avoid dehydration.
You can also help keep hydrated by avoiding unhealthy or dehydrating drinks, such as alcohol, coffee, and soda.
Wear Lots of Sunscreen
No one likes a sunburn. They’re irritating and itchy at best. But there’s more to this tip than avoiding an annoyance. Damaged skin cells are susceptible to cancerous growths. Take care of your body in the long run and apply plenty of sunscreen to all exposed areas of your body, and reapply as directed on the bottle. You may also want to wear a hat to protect your scalp.
Understanding the Risks
No matter how well prepared you are, the key to staying safe is knowing when things are going south. Some people are more at risk to develop heat-related illnesses, such as those over the age of 65 and those that suffer from chronic illnesses.
While certain populations will need to be extra careful outdoors, the truth is everyone is susceptible to the heat. Sweating and feeling warm is perfectly normal. If your symptoms evolve to include nausea or pain in any way, get out of the sun and find somewhere to cool off. Most people will feel better after some water, some shade, and maybe a light snack.
Symptoms of Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is a serious medical emergency. It’s important to know how to spot the symptoms so you can call for an ambulance as soon as you realize someone’s in danger.
Symptoms of heat stroke include:
- A body temperature of 103°F or higher
- Hot, red, dry, or damp skin
- Fast, strong pulse
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Loss of consciousness
If you suspect you or someone you know could be suffering from heat stroke, call 911 and get them to a cool place, but do not give them anything to drink.
Helping keep you safe is our number one priority. It’s why we’ve taken social distancing precautions here at Middletown Tractor Sales, and why we highly encourage you to follow all our summer safety tips, and to seek out other tips from medical professionals. It’s also important to keep your utility tractor healthy! Ask us about how our service department can help you get ready for growing and harvest season. We welcome all those from Morgantown, West Virginia, as well as those from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.