Chad MurphyCincinnati Enquirer
It's hot. Too hot. Dangerously hot. It's so hot that the Ohio Department of Health is urging people to take precautions against heat-related illnesses.
“High temperatures pose the threat of heat-related illnesses for all people, but some are more at risk than others,” ODH Director Bruce Vanderhoff, M.D., MBA, said in a statement. “It’s critical we remain vigilant and follow some simple precautions to get through it without incident, injury, or illness.”
High-risk groups include infants, young children, and older adults, according to the ODH, along with people with mental illness and chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, obesity, and poor blood circulation. People who are pregnant, work and exercise outdoors, and those without air conditioning in their homes are also considered high risk.
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Here's what the ODH recommends.
Drink cool fluids
The ODH recommends helping your body cool down by staying well hydrated with water. Don’t wait until you are thirsty to start drinking water.
Drink two to four cups of water every hour while working or exercising outside. 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.
Avoid drinks that contain alcohol or caffeine, as they can add to dehydration and increase the effects of heat illness.
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Monitor or limit outdoor activities
Plan your outdoor activities for the early morning or evening, when the sun is less direct and the temperature is cooler. Also, wear loose, breathable, light-colored clothing.
Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, which guards against sunburn and helps keep the body cooler, and using a sunscreen of at least SPF 30 that protects against UV-A and UV-B rays.
Take frequent breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned building, especially at any hint of heat illness.
Adults should closely monitor children playing in the heat and give them frequent breaks, bringing them indoors for a cool drink. Children or youth involved in team sports should be closely monitored for signs of heat stress.
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Know the symptoms of heat stroke
Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition characterized by several symptoms:
- 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 spraying them with a garden hose or using cool cloths. Move the person to a cooler place.
Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is characterized by several symptoms:
- Heavy sweating
- Cold, pale, and clammy skin
- Fast, weak pulse
- Muscle cramps
- Tiredness or weakness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
Move the exhausted person 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 individual begins throwing up, or if symptoms get worse or last for over an hour – call 911.
Older adults have an increased risk for heat illness
As people age, their bodies do not adjust as well to high temperatures or humidity, according to the ODH. Also, 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.
Check on your neighbors
The ODH urges people to 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 the air conditioning 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 shady area to cool down.
Also, never leave pets in vehicles. Even if the windows are cracked, the temperature inside can rise almost 20 degrees within the first 10 minutes.
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