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BY:
Bob Crump
Now
that July and August is upon us residents need to take precautions from the
excessive heat of summer. It is so easy to start small outdoor projects around
the house such as mowing the lawn or working in the garden and suddenly you
notice that you are feeling ill. Farmers also must take extra care while
working in the hay fields, mending fence, or working with livestock. You don’t
even have to be working outside to become feeling ill. You could be working in
your home, setting on the porch, or walking to the store.
If
you know ahead of time and take proper steps you might be able to avoid a trip
to the doctor’s office or in worst case scenario a 911 call for first responders
and an ambulance.
Over 50% of hyperthermia deaths in Missouri are people age 65 and over. Some of
the reasons is that in this age group the victims live alone, have other medical
conditions, lack of air conditioning, or afraid to use it fearing higher
utilities bills.
Residents should be aware of some health related heat issues as well as some
precautions to take while dealing with extreme and prolong heat. The following
information is from the Missouri Emergency Management Agency’s website.
The
following are some terms that I’m sure you have heard but may not have a full
understanding of their meanings.
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Heat Cramps are muscle pains and spasms due to heavy
exertion. Although heat cramps are the least severe, they are often the first
signal that the body is having trouble with the heat.
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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’s condition will worsen. Body
temperature will keep rising and the victim may suffer heat stroke.
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Heat Stroke is a life-threatening condition. 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.
What You Can Do During Severe Heat and Heat Emergencies:
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Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun.
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Stay on the lowest floor of a multi-story home out of the sunshine
if air conditioning is not available.
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Consider spending the warmest part of the day in public buildings
such as libraries, schools, movie theaters, shopping malls, and other community
facilities. Circulating air can cool the body by increasing the evaporation rate
of perspiration.
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Use exhaust fans and dehumidifiers when needed.
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Eat light, well-balanced meals at regular intervals. Avoid using
salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.
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Drink plenty of water. Individuals, who have epilepsy or heart,
kidney, or liver disease, are on fluid-restricted diets, or who have problems
with fluid retention should consult a doctor before increasing liquid intake.
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Limit intake of alcoholic beverages.
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Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight, and light-colored clothes
that cover as much skin as possible.
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Protect your face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat. Wear
sunscreen.
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Check on family, friends, and neighbors who do not have air
conditioning and who spend much of their time alone.
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Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles.
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Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day; use the
buddy system when working in extreme heat; and take frequent breaks.
If your home is not air-conditioned, use moving air to try to beat the heat.
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Open all windows early in the morning to get rid of heat and help
cool the home.
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Keep the house closed during the hottest part of the day. Check
indoor and outdoor thermometers to make sure that the indoor temperature is
still cooler than outside. Later, open up the house so the cooler night air can
lower inside temperatures.
-
Use floor and ceiling fans as much as possible to circulate a
cooling breeze. Also use window fans if not using air conditioning.
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Sleep in a cooler part of the residence, such as lower floors or
the basement.
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Take showers and baths early in the morning or late at night.
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Use appliances and equipment that give off heat (iron, light
bulbs, clothes dryer, hair dryer, etc.) only as needed and limit use to the
early morning or at night, not during the middle of the day.
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Slow down and avoid physical exertion to avoid heat stress.
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Listen to radio and television for discomfort index warnings and
keep in touch with others every day.
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If the residence becomes too warm, try to be in a cooler place
during the hottest part of the day – a friend’s or neighbor’s home, a cooling
center, senior center, shopping mall or library.
If you would like more information you may go to
Ready.gov – Extreme Heat and
to FEMA.gov
– Heat.
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