Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke

Today is going to be a HOT one!  With that in mind I thought the below information might be helpful.  Be safe out there today!

Extreme heat brings with it the possibility of heat-induced illnesses. During the hot, humid summer weather, the body's internal temperature can rise and can result in heat exhaustion and heatstroke. If not treated quickly, heat exhaustion can progress into heat stroke, which requires immediate medical care and can be fatal.

Signs and Symptoms:

Heat Exhaustion

• Severe thirst
• Muscle weakness
• Nausea, sometimes vomiting
• Irritability
• Headache
• Increased sweating
• Cool clammy skin
• Elevation of body temperature to 105 degrees Fahrenheit
• Weak, rapid pulse

Heat Stroke

• Severe, throbbing headache
• Weakness, dizziness or confusion
• Difficulty breathing
• Decreased responsiveness or loss of consciousness
• Little or no sweating
• Flush, hot, dry skin
• Elevation of body temperature to 105 degrees Fahrenheit

What to Do:

If the person has a temperature of 105 degrees Fahrenheit or more or shows signs and symptoms of heatstroke, seek emergency medical care immediately. In cases of heat exhaustion and while waiting for help:

1. Move the person to a cool place indoors or under the shade of a tree.
2. Loosen clothing.
3. Have the person lie down. Elevate feet slightly.
4. If the person is alert, place in cool (not cold) bath water.
5. IF the person is alert, give frequent sips of cool, clear fluids (clear juice or sports drinks are best).
6. If the person is vomiting, turn his or her body to the side to prevent choking.
7. Monitor the person's temperatures.

Think Prevention! Be sensible about how much you exert yourself in hot weather.

• Drink plenty of fluids- do not wait until you are thirsty.
• Avoid exertion in the hottest weather.
• Wear light-colored, loose clothing.

Heat Exhaustion is the result of excessive heat and dehydration. Heat Stroke is a medical emergency!

Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke

Extreme heat brings with it the possibility of heat-induced illnesses. During the hot, humid summer weather, the body's internal temperature can rise and can result in heat exhaustion and heatstroke. If not treated quickly, heat exhaustion can progress into heatstroke, which requires immediate medical care and can be fatal.

Signs and Symptoms:

Heat Exhaustion

• Severe thirst
• Muscle weakness
• Nausea, sometimes vomiting
• Irritability
• Headache
• Increased sweating
• Cool clammy skin
• Elevation of body temperature to 105 degrees Fahrenheit
• Weak, rapid pulse

Heatstroke

• Severe, throbbing headache
• Weakness, dizziness or confusion
• Difficulty breathing
• Decreased responsiveness or loss of consciousness
• Little or no sweating
• Flush, hot, dry skin
• Elevation of body temperature to 105 degrees Fahrenheit

What to Do:

If the person has a temperature of 105 degrees Fahrenheit or more or shows signs and symptoms of heatstroke, seek emergency medical care immediately. In cases of heat exhaustion and while waiting for help:

1. Move the person to a cool place indoors or under the shade of a tree.
2. Loosen clothing.
3. Have the person lie down. Elevate feet slightly.
4. If the person is alert, place in cool (not cold) bath water.
5. IF the person is alert, give frequent sips of cool, clear fluids (clear juice or sports drinks are best).
6. If the person is vomiting, turn his or her body to the side to prevent choking.
7. Monitor the person's temperatures.

Think Prevention! Be sensible about how much you exert yourself in hot weather.

• Drink plenty of fluids- do not wait until you are thirsty.
• Avoid exertion in the hottest weather.
• Wear light-colored, loose clothing.

Heat Exhaustion is the result of excessive heat and dehydration. Heatstroke is a medical emergency!

Cool Safety Tips

Looks like the heat is on – again! I hope that everyone is able to stay cool, and safe, today!

With the thought of cool and safety in mind, I thought I would combine the two and provide all of you some cool safety tips. These are not all related to heat – though one is.

I hope you can take a moment and click on the below links so that you can be made aware of some safety recalls of products you might be using:

1. Fisher-Price Recalls to Repair Little People Builders' Load 'n Go Wagons due to Laceration Hazard

2. Strollers Recalled by phil&teds USA Due to Risk of Injury from Brake Failure

3. Honeywell Recalls Electric Baseboard and Fan Heater Thermostats Due to Burn Hazard

Of course what anticipated 100 degree, up to 105 degree plus heat index, day would not be complete with out some tips to stay COOL in this hot weather? The below also goes over the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke:

Cool Tips for Hot Weather

As always – BE SAFE! Hope everyone has a great Friday and even better weekend!

Stay Safe,
Bill

Heat Related Issues for Fire Fighters and How They Cope

By: Fire Fighter Matthew Miles
      Station 24 B-Shift

A frequently asked question that fire fighters get asked in the summer months is how hot is it inside your gear?

Courtesy of Central PA Bravest

The answer: Imagine what you would wear for an afternoon of sledding on a blustery January day. Now imagine wearing the same layers of warm clothing outside with temperatures as hot as they are this week. Then imagine how hot you would get while jogging down your favorite trail for 45 minutes in the same clothes.

A simple automatic fire alarm (false alarm) in your office building can turn a firefighter’s uniform shirt that was dry one minute to the point that it can literally be rung out with sweat the next. Now imagine how much water fire fighters can lose inside a burning building with 100 pounds of gear on.

Fire fighters MUST hydrate while on and off duty to keep their water and electrolyte levels in normal ranges. Below are a few tips firefighters follow during the summer months.

• Start the day with a full tank of water

• Hydrate yourself regularly through the day. Fire fighters can sweat off 2 quarts of water per hour especially in hot and humid weather. So, you must drink at least 4 up to 8 ounces of water every 15 minutes.

Courtesy of Central PA Bravest

• Do not be afraid that you are drinking too much. Once you realize you’re dehydrated, it’s too late and you’re most likely done for the day and putting yourself at huge risk.

• After major incidents, you need to consume a sports drink (Gatorade) to replenish your electrolytes (sodium, potassium and magnesium) which help retain fluid in the body and balance out these minerals that are vital to the normal bodily function.

• We lose electrolytes when we sweat. Dizziness, muscle cramps, extreme exhaustion and irregular heartbeat are symptoms of electrolyte loss in the body.

• According to nutrition experts, many athletes and firefighters lose endurance due to low levels of electrolytes.

• Another simple way to help keep hydrated and replenish vitamins and minerals is to lay out a fresh cut watermelon and place it over ice. Not many people can pass up a fresh, cold slice of watermelon!

From Hot to Hotter! Prepare and be Aware!

While it was fairly hot yesterday and now today, weather forecasters are now indicating Wednesday through Saturday will be even hotter!

As one of our County residents recently pointed out on Facebook (thank you Mr. Lopes), our seniors are especially susceptible to the heat. Please make sure to check on any senior friends or family members during this heat wave. Since many are on fixed incomes, broken air conditioners may stay broke and are not working when they need them the most. Or, the fear of the electric bill may also provoke some to just keep it off and attempt other, less effective ways to stay cool.

So PLEASE make sure to check up on your senior friends, neighbors and family members!

Please take a moment to click on both links below and review the various tips. Also make sure you forward on to friends and family! Prepare and be aware!

Cool Tips for Hot Weather

Hot Cars and Kids are a Deadly Combination

Be safe!

Bill

Do something cool today. Check your smoke alarms to make sure they work!

While the temps may not be in the triple digits today, it will still be a hot one!  If you want to do something cool today, please check your smoke alarms to make sure they work!  Also take a moment to view the below video from our friends at the United States Fire Administration.