Heat Wave Expected to Continue
Follow These Precautions to Keep Yourself, Your Family and Your Pets Safe
June 17, 2024
Heat Wave Expected to Continue
Follow These Precautions to Keep Yourself, Your Family and Your Pets Safe
High temperatures are forecast across Northwest Ohio this week, so it’s important that residents take precautions to prevent potentially dangerous heat-related illnesses, including heat stroke and heat exhaustion.
Certain people are at higher risk of heat-related illnesses. High-risk groups include infants, young children, and older adults; people with mental illness and chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, obesity, and poor blood circulation, as well as people who are pregnant, work and exercise outdoors, and those without air conditioning in their homes. Certain medications can also raise an individual’s risk of health-related illness.
Follow some simple precautions to get through this heat wave without heat-related illness.
Drink Cool Fluids: Help your body cool down by staying well hydrated with water. Don’t wait until you are thirsty to start drinking water. You may need to drink more on hot and humid days, especially if you are active throughout the day. Talk to your doctor and consider the use of electrolytes when hydrating.
- Drink two to four cups of water every hour while working or exercising outside.
- Avoid fluids that contain alcohol or caffeine, as they can add to dehydration and increase the effects of heat illness.
Monitor or Limit Outdoor Activities: Plan outdoor activities for the early morning or evening when the sun is less direct.
- Wear loose-fitting, breathable, light-colored clothing.
- A wide-brimmed hat protects against sunburn and helps keep the body cooler.
- Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UV-A and UV-B rays and has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30.
- Infants should wear loose, lightweight clothing and a hat instead of sunscreen. Keep them out of direct sunlight – especially in the middle of the day – as much as possible.
- Very young children may become preoccupied with outdoor play and not realize that they are getting overheated. Adults should closely monitor children, require frequent breaks, and bring them indoors for a cool drink.
- Children or youth involved in team sports should be closely monitored for signs of heat stress. Consideration should be given to shifting practices and games to cooler times of the day.
- Take frequent breaks from the sun; move to the shade or into an air-conditioned building, especially at any hint of heat illness.
Know the Signs of Heat Stroke: Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition characterized by a body temperature of 103 degrees or higher; red, hot, and dry or damp skin; rapid, strong pulse; headache; dizziness; nausea; confusion; unconsciousness. People experiencing heat stroke need immediate medical assistance – call 911. Before help arrives, begin cooling the exhausted individual by any means possible, such as spray from a garden hose or cool cloths. Move the person to a cooler place.
Know the Signs of Heat Exhaustion: Heat exhaustion is characterized by heavy sweating; cold, pale, and clammy skin; fast, weak pulse; muscle cramps; tiredness or weakness; dizziness; headache; and nausea or vomiting. Move the exhausted individual to a cool place, loosen their clothing, and have them sip water. If possible, put cool, wet cloths on the person or have them take a cool bath. If the exhausted individual begins throwing up, or if symptoms get worse or last for over an hour – call 911.
Increased Risks for Older Adults: As people age, their bodies do not adjust as well to high temperatures or humidity. Plus, chronic health conditions and medications can change how older adults’ bodies respond to heat. Common types of heat-related illnesses that affect older adults include heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Learn more: Ohio Department of Aging | Summer Safety for Older Adults
Be a Good Neighbor: Check on older neighbors, friends, and family, as well as those with chronic medical conditions, at least twice a day. Encourage them to stay in air-conditioned environments as much as possible and to look for an air-conditioned shelter if necessary. Recommend that they take cool showers or baths to cool down. Tell them to seek medical care immediately if they have symptoms of heat-related illness like muscle cramps, headaches, nausea, or vomiting.
Don’t Forget Your Pets: Animals kept outdoors should have plenty of fresh water and a covered area for shade and cooling down. Never leave pets in vehicles. Even if the windows are cracked open, interior temperatures can rise almost 20 degrees within the first 10 minutes.
Visit Wood County EMA on Facebook to stay up to date on the latest news and recommendations for keeping cool this summer.