Hot Weather Safety Tips
Sedgwick County
Division of Public Safety - EMS / Fire District #1 / Emergency Management
What You Should Know About Hot Weather:
Heat can be a killer. Temperatures above 90 degrees, especially when
accompanied with high humidity, can cause many medical problems including heat
exhaustion, heat stroke, heart failure and stroke. Take the heat
seriously. If you are feeling hot and uncomfortable, use caution, common
sense and take steps to avoid heat stress.
When the
weather outside heats up take the temperature
and heat index into account when planning your daily outdoor activities.
Click here to download this Heat Index Chart.
The heat index is a combination of the current outdoor temperature and the
relative humidity, or amount of moisture present in the air. The higher the
outdoor temperature and relative humidity, the greater the heat index and more
at risk you and your pets are to suffer from heat exhaustion.
If the value is above 105 degrees, the National Weather Service
will issue a Heat Advisory, and special precautions are necessary. Below are
some heat safety tips from the National Weather Service:
- Slow down - Strenuous activities should be reduced or rescheduled to the
coolest time of the day.
- Dress for summer - Wear light-weight, and light-colored clothing.
- Stay hydrated - Your body needs water to stay cool. Even if you don't
feel thirsty, continue to drink water.
- Don't get too much sun - Sunburn makes the job of heat dissipation that
much more difficult.
- Spend more time in air-conditioned places - Doing so makes the body's job of staying cool that much
easier.
- Do not drink alcoholic beverages - The intake of alcohol only leads to
further dehydration.
Click here to download a helpful chart to identify and treat heat
disorders.
Heat Exhaustion and Stroke
Each year when the summer temperature ascends higher and higher, the
possibility of too much sun can cause a deadly stroke. When the weather is
warm and sultry and in fact hot with high humidity it is sometimes deceiving
to our good sense. We exercise with enthusiasm as usual, not thinking
about the extreme heat of the day. Heat is generated in the body,
and when it is produced faster than the body can cool itself down, then
related conditions may occur such as, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke.
If we are subjected to air that is a very warm and for an extended period,
it may overwhelm the body’s ability to cool adequately. When this happens we
may have the symptom of cramps. The main muscles used in your activity will
most probably be the areas you will notice the cramping. Rest, find shade, and
drink fluid, eat something a bit salty, to relieve the discomfort.
Feeling Faint?
If your body temperature is raised and you feel faint, you notice
your heart rate is rapid, your blood pressure will be low, you are very pale
with cool clammy skin and are sick at your stomach you may be
experiencing heat exhaustion. These symptoms may show up very quickly. Get
to a cooler place inside or in the shade immediately. Remove restrictive clothing
and lay down with legs elevated. Drink cool water or a beverages with electrolytes.
Watch this condition carefully, it is a precursor to heat stroke.
Get Help!
There are those people who have less ability to perspire, senior citizens
or those prone to obesity, who will be more likely to succumb to a heat
stroke. Also conditions such, excessive exercise, heart disease, specific
medications, over use of alcohol, are all risk factors for heat stroke.
Symptoms of a heatstroke is fever of perhaps 105F with skin that is
dry and very warm. You will notice some confusion, rapid pulse, and
rapid shallow breathing; the blood pressure could be high or low. In this
case you should suspect a heat stroke. CALL
911 and or seek emergency treatment immediately. Move the
person to a cool shady place and remove unnecessary clothing. If
available, place ice packs under the person's armpits and in their
groin area, otherwise apply a cool wet cloth to the head, armpits,
groin and chest areas. Keep the victim wet with a water
spray, sponging, or wet towels. Use
fans and/or air conditioners to increase the airflow
over the victim. Covering the person with ice or immersing
in ice is not recommended.
DO NOT GIVE FLUIDS.
©, Copyright, 2005 Sedgwick County, Kansas
last update:
08/15/07
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