Avoid the Dangers of Extreme Heat

With temperatures expected to hit the high 90’s on and off throughout the summer, residents are urged to take steps to avoid heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition and heat exhaustion can also require hospital care.  When the weather turns extremely hot and humid, it is vital to drink plenty of fluids, spend time in cool places and reduce or reschedule any physical activity.  Please remember to check on elderly family members and neighbors to make sure they are safe.

Listed below are some ways to avoid health complications from excessive heat:

• Drink plenty of water and other non-alcoholic beverages.
• Make sure children and the elderly are drinking water; ensure that persons with mobility problems have adequate fluids in easy reach.
• If you do not have air conditioning, spend time in air-conditioned places such as libraries, theaters, malls, or other public buildings during the hottest hours of the day.
• Wear loose and light-colored clothing; wear a hat when outdoors.
• Reduce physical activity or reschedule it for cooler times of the day.
• Don’t leave children, a frail elderly or disabled person or pets in an enclosed car – NOT EVEN FOR A MINUTE – as temperatures can quickly climb to dangerous levels.
• Talk to your health care provider about any medicine or drugs you are taking.  Certain medications – such as tranquilizers and drugs used to treat Parkinson’s disease – can increase the risk of heart-related illness.

Heat exhaustion is a milder illness that may take several days of high temperatures to develop.  Victims may have pale, clammy skin and sweat profusely.  They may feel tired, weak or dizzy and have headaches, or sometime cramps, but their temperature will remain close to normal.