Extreme Heat

Summer is a great time to go swimming and enjoy the sun, but this comes with caution. Heat disorders can occur at anytime; however, you can plan ahead to protect yourself and your family.

Plan ahead

Summer may not come year-round where you live, but there are things you can do now to help prepare your family for extreme heat.

Before extreme heat:

• Install air conditioners snugly
  
• Check air-conditioning ducts for proper insulation
  
• Install temporary window reflectors such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard to reflect heat back outside
  
• Weather-strip doors and windows to keep cool air in
  
• Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades or awnings
  
• Keep storm windows up all year
  

Prevention is the key to protecting against disorders. During a heat emergency when the weather is extremely hot:

• Stay indoors as much as possible, and limit exposure to sun
  
• Stay on the lowest floor out of sunshine if you lack air conditioning
  
• Consider spending the warmest part of the day in public buildings, and avoid strenuous work at this time
  
• Eat well-balanced, light and regular meals
  
• Drink plenty of water
  
• Limit intake of alcohol
  
• Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight, and light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible
  
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face and neck
  
• Never leave children or pets in closed vehicles
  
  

Act quickly, but don't panic

If someone starts to suffer from the heat, time is crucial. The sooner that the victim can be cooled off and the body temperature returned to normal, the better. 

Heat disorders can occur at any time. It's especially important to watch older adults, young children and those who are sick or overweight because they're the most likely to suffer from heat cramps, exhaustion or stroke.

Heat cramps

• Occur with muscle pain and spasms start due to overuse. (Normally involving the abdominal muscles or legs)
  
  
• Treatment:
  • Have victim rest in comfortable position
  • Lightly stretch the affected muscle and replenish fluids
  • Give the victim half a glass of cool water every 15 minutes
  • Don't give liquids that have alcohol or caffeine in them
    
    

Heat exhaustion

• Occurs when people exercise or work in a hot, humid place
  
• Blood flow to the skin increases, restricting blood flow to vital organs causing the victim to go into mild shock
  
• If not treated, the victim will continue to get worse and may suffer heat stroke
  
• Treatment:
  • Get the victim out of the heat and into a cooler place
  • Loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets
  • Give the victim half a glass of water every 15 minutes, and have the individual drink it slowly
  • Don't give liquids that have alcohol or caffeine in them
  • Let the victim rest
    
    

Heat stroke

• A life-threatening condition
  
• The victim's control system that produces sweating to cool the body stops working
  
• When this happens, a victim's body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result
  
• Treatment:
  • Call 911 or your local emergency number
  • Move the victim to a cooler place and quickly cool the body
  • Immerse the victim in a cool bath, or wrap wet sheets around him/her and fan the body
  • Watch for breathing problems
  • Continue to have the victim lie down and continuously try to cool the body
  • If the victim is vomiting, fading in and out of consciousness or refuses water, don't give the individual anything to eat or drink
    
    

This information is meant to help you make decisions that may reduce your risk. Of course, we can't note every possible risk, and we can't guarantee that these tips will work for you. However, we hope that if you use some of them, you'll better protect your family and yourself.

Is extreme heat happening in your area?