ARE YOU READY FOR A HEAT WAVE?

Here’s what you can do to prepare yourself and your family…

KNOW WHAT THESE TERMS MEAN

1.)     Heat wave:  prolonged period of excessive heat and humidity.

2.)     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 Fahrenheit.

3.)     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.

4.)     Heat exhaustion:  Heat exhaustion typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in hot, humid places where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating.  Blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to vital organs.  This results in a form of mild shock.  If not treated, the victim may suffer heat stroke.

5.)     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.

6.)     Sunstroke: Another term for heat stroke.

IF A HEAT WAVE IS PREDICTED OR HAPPENING

1.)     Slow down.  Avoid strenuous activity.  If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day: morning between 4am-7am.

2.)     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 place with air conditioning each day for several hours.  Remember, electric fans DO NOT cool the air, but they do help sweat evaporate, which cools the body.

3.)     Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.  Light colors will reflect away some of the sun’s energy.

4.)     Drink plenty of water regularly and often.  Your body needs water to keep cool.

5.)     Drink plenty of fluids even if you do not feel thirsty.

6.)     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 expecially true about beer, which dehydrates the body.

7.)     Eat small meals and eat more often.  Avoid foods that are high in protein, which increase metabolic heat.

8.)     Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.

SIGNALS OF HEAT EMERGENCIES

1.)     Heat exhaustion:  cool, moist, pale or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion.  Body temperature will be near normal.

2.)     Heat stroke:  hot, red skin; changes in consciousness; rapid and weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing.  Body temperature can be very high—as high as 105 degrees Fahrenheit.  If the person is sweating from heavy work or exercise, skin may be wet; otherwise, it will be dry.

TREATMENT OF HEAT EMERGENCIES

1.)     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 half a glass of cool water every 15 minutes.  Do not give liquids with alcohol or caffeine in them, as they may make the condition worse.

2.)     Heat exhaustion:  Get the person out of the heat and to 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 half a glass of water every 15 minutes.  Do not give liquids with caffeine or alcohol.  Let the victim rest in a comfortable position, and watch carefully for changes in his or her condition.

3.)     Heat stroke:  Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition.  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.

For more information, or to schedule a First Aid/CPR course,

contact the Gibson County Chapter:  (812) 386-6300.

FANS AVAILABLE!

The Gibson County Chapter is offering FREE FANS to the low income and elderly of our community, courtesy of Papa John's Pizza.  Must have valid Gibson County ID, most recent utility bill, and not received a fan in the past 12 months.  Limited supply.

Pick up fans at: 312 W State Street, Princeton from 12p-2pm (Mon-Fri).

Be safe during these warm days!