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Emergency Preparedness
Extreme Heat
These Emergency Guidelines are provided with funding from the California Department of Health Services
and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
During the summer months, California residents are especially vulnerable to the hazards created by hot weather. The asphalt, concrete and metal that make up our cities absorb heat and make it difficult to cool down at night. This is known as the “heat island effect”. In agricultural areas, workers are often exposed to long hours of direct sunlight.
People at risk for heat related illness include:
  • Those who work or exercise outdoors
  • Athletes
  • The elderly
  • Young children
  • Individuals with health problems
  • Medical problems that lead to poor circulation
  • Those who take diuretics
Age plays a critical role in heat related illnesses:
  • Adults over age 60:
  • Thirst trigger decreases
  • Most seniors who drink only “when thirsty” are not getting enough fluids
    (90%).
  • Under normal conditions, seniors need at least eight –
    8 oz glasses of water daily.
  • In warm weather, seniors may need to increase their water intake 3-4 times.
  • Even mild excretion can cause dehydration just from breathing!
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Heat waves are particularly dangerous for children, the elderly and the infirm. Please make sure to check on your neighbors and offer them assistance.The terms listed below describe the illnesses that extreme heat can cause. Heat-related illnesses can become medical emergencies – call 9-1-1, especially in the case of heat stroke.
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Heat Cramps:
CAUSE
Usually seen with athletes or high output activity. A combination of factors contributes including heat, dehydration from excessive sweating or inadequate fluid intake or poor physical conditioning. Another factor in heat cramps seems related to excessive loss of salt as a result of heavy sweating or salt depletion from excessive fluid intake.
SYMPTOMS
Painful cramps of the major muscle groups (arms, legs, or stomach)

TREATMENT FOR HEAT CRAMPS:

  • You can make your own salt solution for drinking by mixing 1/4 to
    1/2 teaspoon table salt dissolved in a quart of water.
  • Commercially available electrolyte beverages like Gatorade or sports drinks will provide adequate dietary salt intake.
  • Salt tablets by themselves should not be used. They can cause stomach upset and don't adequately replace fluid volume lost.
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Heat Exhaustion:
CAUSE:
Heat exhaustion (also known as heat prostration) occurs when body fluids are lost through heavy sweating due to vigorous exercise such as working in a hot, humid place. It can also be the result of our body’s failure to acclimate to a sudden seasonal increase in temperature, most commonly during those “first hot days” of summer.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Can include any of the following: Sweating, paleness, weakness, nausea, cool moist skin, fatigue, headache, dizziness, light headedness, rapid, weak pulse and shallow breathing.
TREATMENT
Allow body temperature to go down. Provide non alcoholic, non caffeinated fluids. Find a cool, shady place to lie down. Elevate feet with pillows. A cool, wet compress to the forehead, neck and armpits may also help cool the body. The person may feel cool, moist and appear pale. The condition usually self corrects as the body temperature returns to normal. When in doubt, call 911.
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Heat Stroke:
Also called “sunstroke”
CAUSE:
The victim’s temperature control system, which produces sweat to cool the body, stops working.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:
Hot, red and dry skin associated with some or all of the following symptoms… Headache, dizziness, confusion, delirium, unconsciousness, stroke like symptoms, seizures. Clue: Everyone except the patient is sweating!
TREATMENT:
True life threatening emergency!!! CALL 9-1-1. Must cool immediately. Get to a cool place! If the patient is conscious, a cool shower, pool or even garden hose will help lower the patient’s body temperature until paramedics arrive.
For more information on heat related injuries click on this link: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/articles/6209-1.asp
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Follow These Tips To Stay Cool:
  • Stay out of the sun. Venture out in the early mornings or after sunset.
  • Wear light colored, light weight cotton
  • When in the sun, wear sunscreen (at least SPF 15).
  • Give your body a chance to adjust to extreme temperature changes.
  • Drink plenty of non-alcoholic, non caffeinated fluids. Make it a habit to drink water even when you are not thirsty.
  • Use Fans and consider, consider awnings to shade windows.
  • Covering yourself with a wet towel or taking a cool bath or shower may help.
  • Don’t use oven or stove when temperatures are high.
  • At night, open windows, use fans, close up house in AM.
  • Keep drapes drawn to keep cool.
  • Consider going to public pools and air-conditioned stores and malls.
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