Preparing For Extreme Heat
Doing too much
on a hot day, spending too much time in the sun or staying
too long in an overheated place can cause heat-related illnesses.
Know the symptoms of heat disorders and overexposure to the
sun, and be ready to give first aid treatment.
Before
- Contact
your local emergency management office or American Red Cross
chapter for information on extreme heat.
- Install
window air conditioners snugly.
- Close any
floor heat registers nearby.
- Insulate
spaces around air conditioners for a tighter fit.
- Use a circulating
or box fan to spread the cool air.
Keep heat outside
and cool air inside.
- Install
temporary reflectors, such as aluminum foil covered cardboard,
to reflect any heat back outside. Keep the cool air inside
by weather-stripping doors and windowsills.
- Consider
keeping storm windows up all year. Storm windows can keep
the heat of a house in the summer the same way they keep
the cold out in the winter.
- Check air-conditioning
ducts for proper insulation.
During
- Protect
windows. Hang shades, draperies, awnings, or louvers on windows
that receive morning or afternoon sun. Outdoor awnings or
louvers can reduce the heat entering the house by as much
as 80 percent. Conserve electricity.
- During periods
of extreme heat, people tend to use a lot more power for
air conditioning which can lead to a power shortage or outage.Stay
indoors as much as possible. If air conditioning is not available,
stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine. Remember that
electric fans do not cool, they just blow hot air around.
- Eat well-balanced,
light meals.
- Drink plenty
of water regularly. Persons who have epilepsy or heart, kidney,
or liver disease; are on fluid-restrictive diets; or have
a problem with fluid retention should consult a doctor before
increasing liquid intake.
- Limit intake
of alcoholic beverages. Although beer and alcohol beverages
appear to satisfy thirst, they actually cause further body
dehydration.
- Dress in
loose-fitting clothes that cover as much skin as possible.
Lightweight, light-colored clothing that reflects heat and
sunlight and helps maintain normal body temperature.
- Protect
face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
- Allow your
body to get acclimated to hot temperatures for the first
2 or 3 days of a heat wave.
- Avoid too
much sunshine. Sunburn slows the skin's ability to cool itself.
Use a sunscreen lotion with a high SPF (sun protection factor)
rating.
- Avoid extreme
temperature changes. A cool shower immediately after coming
in from hot temperatures can result in hypothermia, particularly
for elderly and very young people.
- Slow down.
Reduce, eliminate, or reschedule strenuous activities. High-risk
individuals should stay in cool places. Get plenty of rest
to allow your natural "cooling system" to work.
- Take salt
tablets only if specified by your physician. Persons on salt-restrictive
diets should check with a physician before increasing salt
intake.
- Vacuum air
conditioner filters weekly during periods of high use.
- Learn the
symptoms of heat disorders and
know how to give first aid.
During a
Drought
- Lower water
use. Watering the lawn and washing the car waste water. Whenever
possible, re-use water.
- Place a
brick or other large, solid object in the flush tank of the
toilet to reduce the water used to flush.
- Farmers
should contact the county Farm Service Agency for disaster
assistance information.
Heat Disorders
- Sunburn
- Symptoms:
Skin redness and pain, possible swelling, blisters, fever,
headaches.
- First Aid:
Take a shower, using soap, to remove oils that may block
pores preventing the body from cooling naturally. If blisters
occur, apply dry, sterile dressings and get medical attention.
- Heat
Cramps
- Symptoms:
Painful spasms usually in leg and abdominal muscles. Heavy
sweating.
- First Aid:
Firm pressure on cramping muscles or gentle massage to relieve
spasm. Give sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue.
- Heat
Exhaustion
- Symptoms:
Heavy sweating, weakness, skin cold, pale and clammy. Weak
pulse. Normal temperature possible. Fainting, vomiting.
- First Aid:
Get victim to lie down in a cool place. Loosen clothing.
Apply cool, wet cloths. Fan or move victim to air-conditioned
place. Give sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue.
If vomiting occurs, seek immediate medical attention.
- Heat
Stroke (Sun Stroke)
- Symptoms:
High body temperature (106+). Hot, dry skin. Rapid, strong
pulse. Possible unconsciousness. Victim will likely not sweat.
- First Aid:
Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency. Call 9-1-1 or
emergency medical services or get the victim to a hospital
immediately. Delay can be fatal. Move victim to a cooler
environment. Try a cool bath or sponging to reduce body temperature.
Use extreme caution. Remove clothing. Use fans and/or air
conditioners. DO NOT GIVE FLUIDS.
|
