Stay safe in extreme heat: Preventing heat related illnesses

It’s going to be a hot one this weekend and although having fun outside in this extreme heat is possible, it’s also important to know the warning signs of heat-related illnesses.

Some extreme temp tips:

• If possible, stay cool in the water this weekend!

• Be sure to check on senior citizens in your life. Extreme heat can be dangerous to them.

• Be conscious of how long your children and pets are outside.

• Drink lots of water
• Visit our blog post for more tips on not getting burned!

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides the extremely helpful information below on Heat Stroke, Heat Exhaustion, Sunburn and Heat Rash.

Heat Stroke

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

• High body temperature (103°F or higher)
• Hot, red, dry, or damp skin
• Fast, strong pulse
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Losing consciousness (passing out)

WHAT TO DO

• Call 911 right away-heat stroke is a medical emergency
• Move the person to a cooler place
• Help lower the person’s temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath
• Do not give the person anything to drink

Heat Exhaustion

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

• Heavy sweating
• Cold, pale, and clammy skin
• Fast, weak pulse
• Nausea or vomiting
• Muscle cramps
• Tiredness or weakness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Fainting (passing out)

WHAT TO DO

• Move to a cool place
• Loosen your clothes
• Put cool, wet cloths on your body or take a cool bath
• Sip water

Get medical help right away if:

• You are throwing up
• Your symptoms get worse
• Your symptoms last longer than 1 hour

Sunburn

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

• Painful, red, and warm skin
• Blisters on the skin

WHAT TO DO

• Stay out of the sun until your sunburn heals
• Put cool cloths on sunburned areas or take a cool bath
• Put moisturizing lotion on sunburned areas
• Do not break blisters

Heat Rash

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

• Red clusters of small blisters that look like pimples on the skin (usually on the neck, chest, groin, or in elbow creases)

WHAT TO DO

• Stay in a cool, dry place
• Keep the rash dry
• Use powder (like cornstarch baby powder) to soothe the rash