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Beat the Heat: Prevent Heat-Related Illnesses
High temperatures are
forecasted for Northwest Ohio this week into the weekend,
and the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department is advising
all individuals to take special precautions to prevent
heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat
stroke.
“Exposure to excessive
heat can pose a serious health risk for all people,
especially for the elderly, the very young, and those with
chronic health problems,” said Health Commissioner, Eric
Zgodzinski. “Heat related illnesses are preventable if
precautions are taken.”
Here are some tips to
follow during periods of high temperatures and high
humidity:
Be a Good Neighbor
·
Family, friends, and neighbors are urged to periodically
check on the elderly and those with chronic medical
conditions since they are among those at highest risk for
heat-related illnesses.
·
Encourage them to stay in air-conditioned environments as
much as possible, and to look for an air-conditioned shelter
if necessary.
·
Recommend that they take cool showers or baths to cool down.
·
Tell them to seek medical care immediately if they have
symptoms of heat-related illness like muscle cramps,
headaches, nausea or vomiting.
Drink Cool Fluids
·
Help your body sweat and cool down by staying well hydrated
with water. Don’t wait until you are thirsty before you
start drinking water.
·
Adults should drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day.
Monitor your body – you may need to drink more on hot and
humid days.
·
Drink from two to four cups of water every hour while
working or exercising outside.
·
Avoid fluids that contain alcohol or caffeine, because they
can add to dehydration and increase the effects of heat
illness.
Monitor or Limit Outdoor Activities
·
Plan outdoor activities for the early morning or evening
when the sun is less direct.
·
Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing.
·
A wide-brimmed hat protects against sunburn and helps keep
the body cooler.
·
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UV-A
and UV-B rays and has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at
least 15.
·
Move to the shade or into an air-conditioned building at the
first signs of heat illness.
·
Very young children may become preoccupied with outdoor play
and not realize that they are getting overheated. Adults
should require frequent breaks and bring them indoors for a
cool drink.
·
Children or youths involved in team sports should be closely
monitored for signs of heat stress. Consideration should be
given to shifting practices and games to cooler times of the
day.
Know the Signs of Heat Exhaustion (serious)
• Heavy sweating, nausea
or vomiting, muscle cramps, dizziness, headache, and cold,
pale, or clammy skin are all associated signs of heat
exhaustion.
• People experiencing heat
should move to a cool place, loosen clothes, sip water, and
put cool cloths on their body.
• Medical help should be
contacted if the individual is throwing up, symptoms are
worsening and/or lasting longer than 1 hour.
Know the Signs of Heat Stroke (life-threatening)
• Heat stroke is a
potentially life-threatening condition, characterized by a
body temperature of 103 degrees or higher; red, hot and dry
skin with no sweating; rapid pulse; headache; dizziness;
nausea; confusion; unconsciousness; and gray skin color.
• People experiencing heat
stroke need immediate medical assistance – call 911.
• Before help arrives,
begin cooling the victim by any means possible, such as
spray from a garden hose or by placing the person in a cool
tub of water.
Don’t Forget Your Pets
• Animals kept outdoors
should have plenty of fresh water and a covered area to get
out of the sun and cool down.
• Never leave pets in
vehicles. Even if the windows are cracked open, interior
temperatures can rise almost 20 degrees within the first 10
minutes. Additional information on heat-related illness can
be found at:
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/ExtremeHeat/
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