FAST FACTS

Beat The Heat

• Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors reflect away some of the sun’s energy. Wear hats or use an umbrella.
• Drink water. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body. Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.
• Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid high-protein foods, which increase metabolic heat.
• Slow down. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, usually in the morning between 4 and 7 a.m.
• Stay indoors when possible. If air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine. Electric fans do not cool, they simply circulate air.
• Check in on elderly residents in your neighborhood and those who do not have air conditioning.
• Learn first aid and CPR.

Source: American Red Cross

Heat-Related Terms

Heat cramps: 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.

Heat exhaustion: Typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. If not treated, the victim may suffer heat stroke. Signs of heat exhaustion include cool, moist, pale flushed or red skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal.

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. Symptoms include hot, red and dry skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing.

Source: American Red Cross

General Care For Heat Emergencies:

Heat cramps or heat exhaustion: Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. If the person is fully awake and alert, give half a glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not let him or her drink too quickly. Do not give liquids that contain alcohol or caffeine. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. Call 911 if the person refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness.

Heatstroke: Heatstroke is a life-threatening situation. Call 911. 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.

Source: American Red Cross

Hot Weather Terms

Heat index: The index is an accurate measure of how hot it really feels when relative humidity is added to the actual air temperature.

Excessive Heat Watch: Issued when conditions are favorable for an excessive heat event in the next 12 to 48 hours. A watch is used when the risk of a heat wave has increased, but its occurrence and timing is still uncertain.

Excessive Heat Warning/Advisory: Issued when an excessive heat event is expected in the next 36 hours. The warning is used for conditions posing a threat to life or property. An advisory is for less serious conditions that cause significant discomfort or inconvenience and, if caution is not taken, could lead to a threat to life and/or property.

Source: National Weather Service