Heat Wave Safety Tips:
A Heat Wave is a period of abnormally and uncomfortably hot and usually humid weather. Heat waves can last from several days to several weeks. North American summers are hot; most summers see heat waves in one section or another of the United States. East of the Rockies, they tend to combine both high temperature and high humidity although some of the worst have been catastrophically dry.
Why Are Heat Waves So Dangerous:
Heat kills by taxing the human body beyond its abilities. In a normal year, about 175 Americans succumb to the demands of summer heat. Among the large continental family of natural hazads, only the cold of winter – not lightning, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, or earthquakes – takes a greater toll. In the 40-year period from 1936 through 1975, nearly 20,000 people were killed in the United States by the effects of heat and solar radiation. In the disastrous heat wave of 1980, more than 1,250 people died. And these are the direct casualties. No one can know how many more deaths are advanced by heat wave weather – how many diseased or aging hearts surrender that under better conditions would have continued functioning.
Heat Related Disorders:
Heat disorders generally have to do with a reduction or collapse of the body’s ability to shed heat by circulatory changes and sweating, or a chemical (salt) imbalance caused by too much sweating. When heat gain exceeds the level the body can remove, or when the body cannot compensate for fluids and salt lost through perspiration, the temperature of the body’s inner core begins to rise and heat-related illness may develop.
- Sunburn:
Redness and pain. In severe cases swelling of skin, blisters, fever, headaches.Treatment:
Ointments for mild cases if blisters appear and do not break. If breaking occurs, apply dry sterile dressing. Serious, extensive cases should be seen by a physician. - Heat Cramps:
Painful spasms usually in muscles of legs and abdomen possible heavy sweating.Treatment:
Firm pressure on cramping muscles, or gentle massage to relieve spasm. Give sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue use. - Heat Exhaustion:(Heat Prostration)
Symptoms may include fatigue, irritability, headache, faintness, weak rapid pulse, shallow breathing, pale and cold clammy skin, heavy sweating, temperature may be normal and vomiting may occur.Treatment:
To treat, instruct the victim to lie down in a cool, shade area or air-conditioned room. Elevate their feet, and massage the legs toward the heart. Apply cool, wet cloths and give cold salt water (1/2 a teaspoon to 1/2 a glass of water) or cool, sweetened drinks, especially iced tea and coffee, every 15 minutes until victim recovers. If nausea occurs. discontinue use. If vomiting continues, seek immediate medical attention. DO NOT let victim sit up, even after feeling recovered. - Heat Stroke or Sun Stroke:
Symptoms may include extremely high body temperature (106 degrees Fahrenheit or higher); hot, red, dry skin; absence of sweating; rapid and strong pulse; convulsions; unconsciousness.Treatment:
Sunstroke is a life-threatening emergency. DELAY CAN BE FATAL.- Move the victim to a cooler environment
- Reduce body temperature with cold bath or sponging
- Use extreme caution
- Remove clothing, use fans and air conditioners
- If temperature rises again, repeat process
- DO NOT give stimulating beverages such as coffee, tea or soda
Frostbite:
Frostbite initially looks like a reddened first-degree burn. A tingling sensation follows, ice crystals may form on the skin and the skin will become yellowish-gray color and feel numb.
Re-warm the frozen skin by submerging it in warm, not hot, water. Do not rub the frozen skin to warm it with friction. When a reddish color returns to the frostbitten skin, take it out of the warm water and pat it dry gently. Take care not to break any blisters that may have formed and do not rub the skin. Cover the skin with a loose bandage and seek medical help immediately. If the feet or legs are frostbitten, do not attempt to walk.
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