How to Prevent Heat Related Illnesses

The elderly, children and those with medical conditions need watched over when there is a high heat alert. Hundreds of people die each year from heat-related illnesses but with a caution, heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heatstroke can be prevented.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Water
• Towels
• Air Conditioner
• Fan
• Shade
• Rest

1. Check on neighbors and family members to make sure they are not suffering from heat and are not dehydrated. Adults need to make sure children get plenty to drink.

2. Know what is a heat-related illness. These include sunburn, heat rash, cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. The two that are most common causes of death are heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

3. Understand the symptoms of heat illnesses. These include dizziness, extreme sweating, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, and cold or clammy skin. Symptoms that are more serious include nausea, vomiting, and fainting. If left untreated it can cause a sudden heat stroke, which can render a person unconscious within minutes or cause feelings of uneasiness, anxiety, aggravation and sickness.

4. People react differently from the affects of dangerous heat and some may not realize they are in trouble. Some people may act strangely in the heat, call for help immediately. They may not know who they are, where they are or what they are doing.

5. If a person is overheated get them to a cool place, lay them down and raise their legs. Give the person plenty of water or sports drink that replace electrolytes such as Gatorade. They need to drink slowly. Drinking cold water or drinks too fast can cause a heat stroke. Take the person to see a doctor even if he or she seems to recover quickly.

6. If the person may be suffering from a heatstroke, call 911 and get them to a hospital soon. Move the person to a cool place. Wet a sheet with cold water and cover him/her or get them in a cool shower. Another way to cool a person is wet towels and towel wrap them around the head, then cover the neck, armpits, and other parts of the body.

Tips & Warnings

• Drink all day long. Drink the number of ounces equal to your body weight. If you weigh 180 pounds then drink 180 ounces of water. When you feel thirsty you are already dehydrated.
• Prevent heat-related illnesses by avoiding the sun and extremely hot places if possible.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water during the day, especially if you are doing a lot of activities. Replenish electrolytes by drinking sports drinks.
• Stay where there is air moving to cool your body. If you are inside use air conditioning or open windows and use a fan.
• Wear light colored, loose-fitting clothes these won’t absorb sunlight or trap in heat. Wear a hat to keep you head cool, but if you feel overheated remove the hat so you can cool off and let out the trapped heat.
• Take it easy in the heat. A heatstroke can happen quickly. Many times, heat illnesses occur in less than an hour after an activity during a hot day. If you feel yourself getting too hot or dizzy, stop what you are doing and rest inside or in the shade. Seek help immediately.

Resources

• Government Tips on Heat Illnesses
• Symptoms of Heat Illnesses
• How to Report Unsafe Consumer Products
• How to Safely Clean a Dryer Lint Trap
• How to Keep Children Safe from Lead

[jenng]

on 7/18/2009 Great article on How to Prevent Heat Related Illnesses 5*

[vikki9]

on 7/18/2009 Important information for this time of year. Thank you.

[franchesca]

on 7/18/2009 Great article.*

[DiscountTickets]

on 7/17/2009 So important to know about this, great ideas, and so well written.

[Quickstar]

on 7/17/2009 It's a hot one today in my neck of the woods. I will take precaution to avoid heat stroke for my children and myself.