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Heatwave
Project Safeside: Keeping You Ahead of the Storm. Information from the
American Red Cross and The Weather Channel on heat safety.
Know What These Terms Mean...
- Heat wave: Prolonged period of excessive heat and
humidity. The National Weather Service steps up its procedures to
alert the public during these periods of excessive heat and
humidity.
- Heat index: A number in degrees Fahrenheit (F) that
tells how hot it really feels when relative humidity is added to the
actual air temperature. Exposure to full sunshine can increase the
heat index by 15 degrees F.
- Heat cramps: Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms
due to heavy exertion. Although heat cramps are the least severe,
they are an early signal that the body is having trouble with the
heat.
- Heat exhaustion: Heat exhaustion typically occurs when
people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where body
fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Blood flow to the skin
increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs. This
results in a form of mild shock. If not treated, the victim may
suffer heat stroke.
- Heat stroke: Heat stroke is life-threatening. The
victim's temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool
the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that
brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly.
- Sunstroke: Another term for heat stroke.
If a Heat Wave Is Predicted or Happening...
- Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If
you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the
day, which is usually in the morning between 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.
- Stay indoors as much as possible. If air
conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor, out of the
sunshine. Try to go to a public building with air conditioning each
day for several hours. Remember, electric fans do not cool the air,
but they do help sweat evaporate, which cools your body.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
Light colors will reflect away some of the sun's energy.
- Drink plenty of water regularly and often.
Your body needs water to keep cool.
- Drink plenty of fluids even if you do not
feel thirsty.
- Water is the safest liquid to drink during
heat emergencies. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them.
They can make you feel good briefly, but make the heat's effects on
your body worse. This is especially true about beer, which
dehydrates the body.
- Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid
foods that are high in protein, which increase metabolic heat.
- Avoid using salt tablets unless directed
to do so by a physician.
Signals of Heat Emergencies...
- Heat exhaustion: Cool, moist, pale, or flushed skin; heavy
sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion.
Body temperature will be near normal.
- Heat stroke: Hot, red skin; changes in consciousness;
rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Body temperature
can be very high-- as high as 105 degrees F. If the person was
sweating from heavy work or exercise, skin may be wet; otherwise, it
will feel dry.
Treatment of Heat Emergencies...
- Heat cramps: Get the person to a cooler place and have
him or her rest in a comfortable position. Lightly stretch the
affected muscle and replenish fluids. Give a half glass of cool
water every 15 minutes. Do not give liquids with alcohol or caffeine
in them, as they can make conditions worse.
- Heat exhaustion: Get the person out of the heat and into a
cooler place. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet
cloths, such as towels or sheets. If the person is conscious, give
cool water to drink. Make sure the person drinks slowly. Give a half
glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not give liquids that
contain alcohol or caffeine. Let the victim rest in a comfortable
position, and watch carefully for changes in his or her condition.
- Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a life-threatening
situation. Help is needed fast. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency
number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body.
Immerse victim in a cool bath, or wrap wet sheets around the body
and fan it. Watch for signals of breathing problems. Keep the person
lying down and continue to cool the body any way you can. If the
victim refuses water or is vomiting or there are changes in the
level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.
Your Local Red Cross Chapter Can Provide Additional Materials in
English and Spanish:
- "Your Family Disaster Plan"(ARC
4466)
- "Your Family Disaster Supplies
Kit"(ARC 4463)
Materials for Children:
- "Disaster Preparedness Coloring
Book"(ARC 2200, English, or ARC 2200S, Spanish) for children
ages 3-10.
- "Adventures of the Disaster
Dudes" (ARC 5024) video and Presenter's Guide for use by an
adult with children in grades 4-6.
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