|
Heat
Safety
During
the summer months, it is important to prepare our families and ourselves for
extreme heat.
Some
Important Terms to Know and Understand:
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.
Source: http://www.redcross.org
Graphics Source: AP
|
