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What
to Do During a Heat Emergency
To
protect your health when temperatures are extremely
high, remember to keep cool and use common
sense.
The following tips are important:
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Monitor
weather conditions. Stay
tuned to your local TV
and radio broadcasts. |
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Drink
Plenty of Fluids. During
hot weather you will need to increase
your fluid intake, regardless of your
activity level.
Don't wait until you're
thirsty to drink. During heavy exercise
in a hot environment, drink two to four
glasses
(16-32 ounces) of cool fluids
each hour. |
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Warning: If
your doctor generally limits the amount of
fluid you drink or has you on water pills,
ask how much you should drink while the weather
is hot.
Water is the safest liquid to drink during heat emergencies. Don't
drink liquids that contain caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of
sugar—
these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also
avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps. |
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Eat
small, frequent meals. Avoid
high-protein foods. |
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Wear
Appropriate Clothing and Sunscreen. Choose
lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting
clothing. Sunburn affects your body's
ability
to cool itself and causes a loss
of body fluids. It also causes pain and
damages the skin.
If you must go outdoors,
protect yourself from the sun by wearing
a wide-brimmed hat (also keeps you cooler)
along with sunglasses, and
by putting
on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (the
most effective products say "broad
spectrum" or "UVA/UVB protection" on
their labels)
30 minutes prior to going
out. Continue to reapply it according
to the package directions. |
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Pace
Yourself. If you are
not accustomed to working or exercising
in a hot environment, start slowly and
pick
up the pace gradually. If exertion
in the heat makes your heart pound and
leaves you gasping for breath, STOP all
activity. Get into a cool
area or at
least into the shade, and rest, especially
if you become lightheaded, confused,
weak, or faint. |
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Stay
Cool Indoors. Stay indoors
and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned
place. If your home does not have air
conditioning,
go to the shopping mall
or public library—even a few hours
spent in air conditioning can help your
body stay cooler when you go back
into
the heat. Electric fans may provide comfort,
but when the temperature is in the high
90s, fans will not prevent heat-related
illness.
Taking a cool shower or bath
or moving to an air-conditioned place
is a much better way to cool off. Never
take a shower immediately after becoming
overheated – you may cool down
too quickly and become ill, nauseated
or dizzy. Use your stove and oven less
to maintain a
cooler temperature in your
home. |
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Use
a Buddy System. When
working in the heat, monitor the condition
of your co-workers and have someone do
the same for you.
Heat-induced illness
can cause a person to become confused
or lose consciousness. If you are 65
years of age or older,
have a friend
or relative call to check on you twice
a day during a heat wave. If you know
someone in this age group, make a special
effort to check on them at least twice
a day. |
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Those at High Risk. Although
any one at any time can suffer from heat-related
illness, some people are at greater risk
than others. |
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- Infants
and children up to four years of
age are sensitive to the effects
of high temperatures and rely on
others to regulate their environments
and provide adequate liquids.
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- People
65 years of age or older may not
compensate for heat stress efficiently
and are less likely to sense and
respond to change
in temperature.
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- People
who are overweight may be prone
to heat sickness because of their
tendency to retain more body heat.
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- People
who overexert during work or exercise
may become dehydrated and susceptible
to heat sickness.
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- People
who are physically ill, especially
with heart disease or high blood
pressure, or who take certain medications,
such as for depression, insomnia,
or poor circulation, may be affected
by extreme heat.
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Car
Safety During a Heat Emergency. During
hot weather, intense heat can build up
quickly in a closed or nearly closed
car.
Children and pets can die from heat
stroke in a matter of minutes when left
in a closed car.
Never leave children
or pets in a parked car during periods
of intense summer heat.
It's a good idea to keep a charged cell phone battery and a gallon
of water in your car for any weather-related emergency.
Listen to
the radio or television for the latest National Weather Service bulletins
on severe weather for your area. |
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