Extreme heat advisory, air quality alert prompt safety tips<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
(June 27, 2012). – Thursday’s temperatures are expected to soar to 100 degrees or higher and an Air Quality Action Day for Ozone has been issued.<\/p>\n
During periods of extremely hot weather, the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health advises residents to do the following to stay safe:<\/p>\n
[list type=”black”]
\n[li]Wear light-colored, loose fitting clothing.[\/li]
\n[li]Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, the safest liquid to drink during heat emergencies.[\/li]
\n[li]Drink from two to four cups of water every hour while working or exercising outside and remind others to drink extra fluid as well.[\/li]
\n[li]Avoid strenuous exertion on hot days. If you must do arduous activity, do it during the coolest time of the day, usually the morning or evening.[\/li]
\n[li]Stay indoors as much as possible. If air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor, out of the sun. Try to go to a public building with air conditioning each day for several hours. Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device.[\/li]
\n[li]Watch infants carefully and check on elderly neighbors or relatives often. Young children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Check on those most at risk twice a day.[\/li]
\n[li]Check local news for extreme heat alerts and safety tips during times of extreme heat.[\/li]
\n[\/list]<\/p>\n
Under normal conditions, a person’s skin, blood vessels and perspiration level adjust to the heat. But in extreme heat, these natural cooling systems may fail if a person is exposed to high temperatures and humidity for too long, if he or she sweats heavily or does not drink enough fluids. The result may be a heat-related illness.<\/p>\n
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that, on average, 675 people die from complications related to extreme heat each year in the United States – more than tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, lightning or any other weather event combined.<\/p>\n
The most common heat-related illnesses are:<\/p>\n
Heat cramps: Heat cramps are painful muscle contractions, mainly affecting the calves, quadriceps and abdominals. Affected muscles may feel firm to the touch. Your body temperature may be normal.<\/p>\n
Heat exhaustion: With heat exhaustion, your body temperature rises as high as 104 F (40 C) and you may experience:<\/p>\n
[list type=”black”]
\n[li]Nausea[\/li]
\n[li]Vomiting[\/li]
\n[li]Headache[\/li]
\n[li]Fainting[\/li]
\n[li]Weakness[\/li]
\n[li]Cold, clammy skin.[\/li]
\n[\/list]<\/p>\n
If left untreated, these conditions can lead to heatstroke.<\/p>\n
Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency condition that occurs when your body temperature is greater than 104 F (40 C). The symptoms of heat stroke include:<\/p>\n
[list type=”black”]
\n[li]High body temperature,[\/li]
\n[li]The absence of sweating, with hot red or flushed dry skin[\/li]
\n[li]Rapid heart rate or pulse[\/li]
\n[li]Difficulty breathing[\/li]
\n[li]Strange behavior[\/li]
\n[li]Hallucinations[\/li]
\n[li]Confusion[\/li]
\n[li]Agitation[\/li]
\n[li]Disorientation[\/li]
\n[li]Seizure[\/li]
\n[li]Coma[\/li]
\n[\/list]<\/p>\n
Those at greatest risk for heat stroke include the elderly (especially those with chronic health conditions), infants, athletes and people who work outside.<\/p>\n
Heat stroke requires immediate medical attention to prevent brain damage, organ failure or even death. Do not drive yourself to the hospital – call 911.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
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