[OKC] FW: OSDH News: Oklahoma Department of Health Issues Public Health Warning on Heat

[Shauna Struby]

From: Charboneau, Pamela A. [mailto:PamelaaC at health.ok.gov] 
Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2011 3:16 PM
Subject: OSDH News: Oklahoma Department of Health Issues Public Health
Warning on Heat

 

NEWS Mast(reduced).jpg

For Release: Aug. 3, 2011 - Pamela Williams, Office of Communications -
405/271-5601

Oklahoma Department of Health Issues Public Health Warning on Heat

As dangerously high temperatures continue across the state, the Oklahoma
State Department of Health (OSDH) is urging people to take proper
precautions to protect themselves during the extreme heat and seek out
options to cool down within their communities. Over exposure to heat can be
deadly and 11 Oklahomans have already died this summer due to heat-related
causes. Due to an extended forecast of triple digit temperatures, the OSDH
is also urging schools to make modifications to outdoor practices and
activities until the heat indices drop to a safer level. 

Public health officials stress that extreme heat affects everyone. All
persons should be aware of the following signs of heat-related illness:
headache, dizziness, muscle weakness or cramps, nausea and vomiting, and
fatigue, which may last more than 24 hours.

Heat-related illness occurs when the body's temperature control system is
overloaded.  This can be especially dangerous for the elderly, infants and
children, homeless and poor, people with a chronic medical condition and
those who work and exercise outdoors. In the Oklahoma City and Tulsa
metropolitan areas, EMSA reports a number of heat-related emergency runs
have been made to transport 25- to 60-year-olds who have been engaged in
outdoor activities. EMSA also reports numerous calls related to the elderly
who may be in homes with no air conditioning, or who have turned the air
conditioning off in fear of high electric bills. Health officials urge those
who are concerned about their electric bill to contact their electric
company to discuss payment options.

The OSDH offers the following safety tips:

*        Drink more fluids (non-alcoholic), regardless of your activity
level. Don't wait until you are thirsty to drink. Warning: If your doctor
generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills,
ask him/her how much you should drink while the weather is hot.

*        Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned
place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the movies,
shopping mall, public library, or a friend's house/apartment with air
conditioning. Even a few hours spent in an air-conditioned environment can
help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat.

*        Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in
the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool
shower or bath, or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way
to cool off.

*        If you must be out in the heat, limit your outdoor activity to
early morning and evening hours. It's important that people take frequent
breaks when engaged in outdoor activities. Drink a lot of fluids, stay
indoors or in the shade when it's most hot, and wear lightweight,
loose-fitting clothing.

*        NEVER leave anyone or an animal in a closed, parked vehicle.

*        Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat (also
keeps you cooler) and sunglasses and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or
higher (the most effective products say "UVA/UVB protection" on their
labels).

*        Churches, community organizations and neighborhood groups should
check on members most at risk for heat-related illness to make sure they are
protected during this period of extreme heat and humidity.

For more information on heat safety, visit www.health.ok.gov.

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