Beat the heat: Stay indoors is best way
Staff reporter
It's been hot.
The thermometer was 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
The air feels so thick, it could be cut with a knife.
Welcome to summer in Kansas.
When it is this warm outdoors, precautions need to be followed, especially for infants and elderly.
If extra steps are not taken, illness and even death can occur.
"I recommend family members check on the elderly," said Diedre Serene, county health administrator.
She also recommended spectators at various outdoor sporting events drink plenty of water, and try to find shade.
Janet Herzet, director of Marion County Home Care Services, said she and her staff encourage their elderly clients to drink water and take precautions to stay cool.
"We check on them during this kind of weather," said Herzet. "We also encourage them to turn on their air conditioners and stay cool."
Police officers are trained to keep an eye out for those who may be suffering from heat-related illnesses.
"We respond to more ambulance calls and conduct welfare checks during the hotter weather," said Michel Soyez, police chief.
Their assistance doesn't differ than any other time of year, said Soyez, regarding welfare checks on the elderly, but does increase during the summer and winter months.
Anita Hooper, county child care administrator, also offered advise.
"Car seats and seat belts can burn," said Hooper. Parents and child care providers also need to be aware of the dangers of leaving children in hot vehicles or playing outside for long periods of time.
Preventive steps can be taken to reduce or avoid heat-related illnesses.
They are:
— Allow the body to adjust to the heat naturally and gradually.
— Use salt in foods, drink water, avoid alcohol, plan ahead, eat lightly, and rest often.
— Use personal protective equipment such as wearing hats, sunglasses, and loose-fitting, cotton clothing when outdoors, and use fans to circulate air in hot working areas.
Heat stress
A dangerous condition, heat stress occurs when the body is unable to regulate its temperature.
When a person works, plays, or strenuously exercises, the body temperature slightly rises. Through its own natural ability, the body then acts to protect itself from overheating.
Vigorous activity on a hot day can cause a person's temperature to rise to a point that it takes more energy to lower the temperature.
As the body tries to cool itself, other body functions may be neglected, and heat stress disorders may occur.
People starting a job that involves physical work in a hot environment or those starting an exercise routine should acclimate themselves to the heat over a period of time.
Older people should work and play outdoors with extra care when it is hot.
Others who need to use extra care are:
— People who are ill, overweight, physically unfit, or taking medication that can cause dehydration (such as blood pressure medicine);
— People who have been drinking alcohol;
— Those who had previous heat stress disorders; and
— Infants.
People with heart problems and circulatory ailments may be at special risk.
Heat stress disorders:
— Fainting can indicate the body is having difficulty coping with the heat.
If a person is feeling faint, the person should lie down in a cool place. Seek medical assistance if the person does not recover completely within a few minutes.
To avoid feeling faint, move around and stretch in hot weather. This will improve body circulation and decrease the risk of fainting.
— Cramps can occur and usually affect the muscles that do the hardest work.
If cramping occurs, a person should drink a mild salt solution (one teaspoon of salt in one quart of water). Do not massage the muscles.
— Prickly heat is a skin rash caused by heat and humidity. When sweat doesn't evaporate, sweat ducts become clogged and sweat glands become inflamed.
Keep skin as dry as possible, shower often, and wear fast-drying cotton clothing.
Heat exhaustion:
Failure to replenish fluids lost in perspiration causes heat exhaustion.
Symptoms include sweating, clammy skin, pale or flushed complexion, weakness, dizziness, and nausea.
If experiencing these symptoms, find a cool place to rest, drink a mild salt solution, and seek medical attention.
Heat stroke:
The most serious form of heat-related illness, this occurs when the body cannot cool itself because its temperature-regulating system is overloaded.
It is considered a medical emergency and can cause permanent damage to the brain and vital organs, or even death. The condition can occur suddenly — with little warning.
Symptoms of heat stroke are:
— No sweating. In some cases, victims may sweat profusely.
— High temperature (105 degrees F. or higher).
— Hot, dry, flushed skin.
— Confused, delirious behavior.
— Loss of consciousness or coma.
Hospitalization is required without delay. Don't wait for the ambulance before starting first aid.
Immediately move the victim to a cool place, soak the victim's clothing in cool water, and fan the body to encourage cooling.
