Experts Share What Products To Have On Hand To Prevent Heat Exhaustion

This first step is probably pretty obvious, but you need to drink water. "Stay well-hydrated to allow your body to utilize sweating as one method of cooling," Bachmann advised.

Timing is everything, according to Gallucci. "Don’t wait until you’re feeling thirsty to begin hydrating," he said. "The more active you are, the more hydration you need." According to Nelson, you should also skip out on drinking alcohol when heat illness is a concern, since it can dehydrate you further.

Our pick for a water bottle is the Owala FreeSip, also recommended by former HuffPost shopping writer Haley Zovickian. The double-wall insulation can keep your water cold for up to 24 hours, and the wide opening makes it easy to clean the bottle as well as add ice. The lid is also leakproof with a carry loop that doubles as a lock. The FreeSip comes in tons of colors, including the blue shown here, and three sizes; you can check Owala's Amazon storefront to see them all.

Water alone won't do the trick, however. "Staying hydrated with a balance of electrolytes, or salt loading leading up to the event, in conjunction with water is essential," said Vakil. "Most individuals only drink water, and dilute necessary internal balancing salts, and cause more harm when ignoring electrolyte replacement."

One easy way to do this is by adding electrolytes directly to your water. "Electrolyte drink packets (like Liquid I.V. or Nuun tablets) help to replenish key minerals lost through sweat," Gallucci advised.

Liquid I.V. packets come in so many flavors and contains three times as many electrolytes as the leading sports drink, according to the brand. They're also packed with eight vitamins and nutrients, and come in single-serving packets that you can toss into your bag and easily use on the go. Experts aren't the only ones who like these packets, either — they've earned more than 84,000 5-star ratings on Amazon.

Both Nelson and Gallucci also named Nuun tablets as a good source of electrolytes, with Nelson saying they "provide sodium and potassium to help retain fluids in the heat."

Like the Liquid I.V. powder, the tablets dissolve in water, and the tube packaging makes it easy to have more than one on you if you need it. These contain five electrolytes and just 1 gram of sugar, with a ton of refreshing flavors available.

P.S.: If you're really in a pinch, Vakil suggested a simple at-home solution. "This solute balance can be readily achieved by simply adding two tablespoons of honey or agave nectar to liven up a glass of water," he said. "The two-tablespoon threshold for electrolyte replenishment can also work by addition of lemon or lime juice, or even raw maple syrup!"

In a previous HuffPost story about preventing heat exhaustion, multiple experts recommended Frogg Toggs cooling towels, which activate when wet with water and can cool you up to 30 degrees.

The towel can absorb up to eight times its weight in water, and you can wear it around your neck to cover it from the sun, too. The towel comes in 10 colors.

Promising review: "If you are a "Sweater" then you have to have 1 of these. Because it holds that extra water it keeps your neck cool & you can truly wipe the sweat out of your eyes. When it gets gross wring it out, rinse it & it's ready to go again. It is long enough so it stays around your neck. A + when your bending down alot. I recommend hanging it on your shower bar with a plastic pant hanger over night. After a few days it's definitely ready for the wash! This towel is a must have in the summer!" — Rashockley

What you wear in the heat makes a difference, too. "Wear moisture-wicking clothing," Nelson suggested. "Cotton stays wet, which can trap heat. Instead, opt for technical fabrics designed for sweat evaporation and ventilation."

Gallucci agreed that "staying dry goes a long way," while Vakil added, "Limiting time in direct sunlight, dressing intelligently such as with hats and loose-fitting, light-colored clothing, and the use of sunglasses can all reduce the heat stimulus to the body."

Nelson specifically recommends UPF-rated hats and clothing. "Lightweight long sleeves and wide-brimmed hats with UPF 50+ can reduce sun exposure and help your body stay cooler," she said.

HuffPost reader-beloved brand Baleaf offers UPF 50+ shirts for both men (in sizes S-3XL) and women (in sizes XS-2XL) that have long sleeves, quick-dry and moisture-wicking fabric and a lightweight, relaxed feel. The shirts come in a ton of solid colors, including some lighter hues, to implement Vakil's advice.

Both Gallucci and Vakil recommended hats as a way to keep the sun off your head and decrease heat stimulus. We like this unisex Einskey hat, which has a wide brim and UPF 50+ protection. Designed with a breathable mesh panel and moisture-wicking sweatband, the hat is lightweight and easily foldable to take with you while you're out and about in the heat. The adjustable chin strap ensures a snug fit, and the water-repellant fabric can keep you dry from rain. This comes in a ton of solid colors as well as some camo patterns.

"Sunscreen isn’t just about skin health," Nelson told HuffPost. "It’s a heat illness prevention tool, too."

According to Gallucci, this is because "sunburn can impair your body’s ability to cool down, leading to higher risk of heat exhaustion." He added, "Broad-spectrum sunscreen is crucial to keeping your skin protected, and can help reduce your risk of overheating and sunburn."

Nelson recommended SPF 30+ more specifically, and we like this Sun Bum roll-on sunscreen that was a hit among HuffPost readers during Prime Day. This travel-size bottle is Hawaii 104 Reef Act compliant and contains skin-nourishing ingredients like vitamin E in addition to the sun protection benefits. HuffPost commerce managing editor Emily Ruane also previously mentioned that the roll-on application is great for kids.

Bachmann suggested using misting devices "to promote evaporative cooling," and other experts agreed.

"Portable misting fans or water spray bottles are great items for immediate cooling, especially for kids playing outside or outdoor workers," Gallucci said, and Nelson told HuffPost, "They're great for sporting events, theme parks, or yard work."

This bestselling O2Cool misting fan works with two AA batteries and has a simple one-speed motor that's powerful but quiet; no need to fuss with different knobs or settings. The tank has a 9-ounce capacity for water, and can even hold ice for an extra cool breeze. This fan comes in tons of fun colors, and you can buy it alone or in a two-pack.

"A good indicator of exertion level is heart rate, so any device that can provide a reliable measure of heart rate, like a smart watch, can be a useful tool to control how hard someone is working," DeGroot told HuffPost. "For example, if a soldier is a runner and their heart rate in cool conditions is 140-145 beats per minute, in the heat we’ll have them slow down enough to keep their heart rate in the same range."

Civilians should also be aware of when to take it easy in the heat. The Apple Watch Series 10 has a heart rate monitor, and can notify you when your heart rate is unusually high or low. That's in addition to other health insights like sleep tracking, workout activity and more vitals like respiratory rate. The watch can even connect you with emergency services with the press of a button (say, in case you or someone with you does end up with heat stroke), and is a good investment for your health and safety beyond showing you your step count.

Vakil mentioned that sunglasses can reduce heat stimulus, and really, they're a summer staple you should already own. This multipack offers UV protection with polarized lenses, are lightweight and have a pretty timeless, classic design that comes in a bunch of colors. The glasses are also shatterproof and can block glare.

Both Bachmann and Nelson recommended having an umbrella for shade. "These can reduce radiant heat exposure when standing or walking outdoors," Nelson said. Our pick is this HuffPost reader-favorite Coolibar umbrella, which has been a hit among HuffPost readers in the past. Designed with a UPF 50+ rating and a glare-reducing underside, the water-repellant umbrella blocks 98% of UVA/UVB rays. The umbrella has a 42-inch arc and an ergonomically designed handle with a simple push-button open and close mechanism. The umbrella comes in five colors.

Just because you're inside and out of direct sun doesn't mean you're off the hook when it comes to heat illness, so you should still take precautions. "For indoor environments, a fan is very helpful, as it helps with evaporation of sweat," DeGroot said.

Standing 36 inches tall and able to circulate 25 feet of air per second, this Dreo tower fan has four modes and four speeds you can adjust using the included remote. The fan has 90-degree oscillation to help cool down the whole room, as well as an eight-hour timer. The compact fan is also less than 12 inches wide, and its hidden handle makes it easy to carry around so you can set it up wherever you need cool air in the house.