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Dealing With 100 Degree Temperatures

The federal government says heat is the number one weather-related killer. In an average year, more than 1500 Americans die from heat-related illnesses.

Follow these tips to remain safe. Discuss extreme heat with your family. Everyone should know what to do to protect themselves in the places where they spend time.

And always remember, never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles. Click here for safety tips from the non-profit Cars and Kids.


PREVENTING HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS 
Elderly persons, small children, chronic invalids, those on certain medications or drugs (especially tranquilizers and anticholinergics), and persons with weight and alcohol problems are particularly susceptible to heat reactions, especially during heat waves in areas where a moderate climate usually prevails.

The easiest way to prevent heat-related illness is to stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun. Individuals at risk should stay in the coolest available place, not necessarily indoors.

Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. Strenuous activities should be reduced, eliminated, or rescheduled to the coolest time of the day. Use a buddy system when working in extreme heat, and take frequent breaks.

Drink plenty of water or other non-alcohol fluids. Your body needs water to keep cool. Drink plenty of fluids even if you don't feel thirsty. Limit intake of alcoholic beverages.

Those with epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease; are on fluid-restricted diets; or have a problem with fluid retention should consult a doctor before increasing liquid intake.

Eat well-balanced, light and regular meals. Put less fuel on your inner fires. Foods (like proteins) that increase metabolic heat production also increase water loss.

Do not take salt tablets unless specified by a physician.

Dress for summer. Lightweight light-colored clothing reflects heat and sunlight, and helps your body maintain normal temperatures. Protect face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat.

Don't get too much sun. Sunburn makes the job of heat dissipation that much more difficult.

Stay on the lowest floor, out of the sunshine if air conditioning is not available.

If possible, spend the warmest part of the day in public buildings such as libraries, schools, movie theaters, shopping malls and other community facilities. Circulating air can cool the body by increasing the perspiration rate of evaporation.

  FIND A COOLING STATION NEAR YOU

Always run your ceiling fans to stay cooler in the summertime. Check your fans to ensure they are going in the correct direction. In the summer, your fan should be set on "forward," which means the blades are rotating counter-clockwise. There is a switch on the base where you can control this. By moving your fan setting to the forward position, you will receive a nice downward breeze keeping you cool. 

Don't let your home retain any more heat than necessary.  Appliances, electronic devices and lighting are all common sources of internal heat gain.  To combat this excess heat, avoid putting lamps or televisions near your air conditioner's thermostat.  These heat-exuding appliances will cause the air conditioner to think the house is warmer than it really is.  This results in the system running longer than necessary and wasted energy.

Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning and who spend much of their time alone. If you or someone you know doesn't have a working air conditioner in their home, click on the following links or contact the following organizations:

 People Helping People (City Of Dallas): 214-670-7327 
 DCHHS Heat Emergency Hotline: 214-819-6001 
 The Senior Source: 214.823.5700 
 Service Experts Home Comfort Squad (serves all of DFW): (972) 424-4300 or 1-800-HEAT-COOL 
 Dallas County Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program: (214) 819-6001 
 Resources For Elderly Fort Worth Residents

The City of McKinney has an Emergency Home Repair Program, which allows for assistance to low to-moderate income McKinney homeowners up to $5,000 for immediate repairs affecting one's health, safety and welfare. It can include air conditioning assistance (only for warmer months), along with electrical, plumbing, etc. Contact The Housing Rehabilitation Office at 972-547-2663.

The Collin County Committee on Aging will provide cooling fans for senior citizens and also has limited emergency funds available. Call 972-562-6996 and ask for Senior Services Department.

The Weatherization Assistance Program for low income residents in Collin County can receive assistance. They must contact Community Services, Inc. at 1-800-831-9929 or 903-872-2407. If people need assistance in paying a portion of their utility bills, Collin county residents can call the same numbers to apply for assistance through their Energy Assistance Program.

And don't forget to frequently check on your pets and animals.
 PROTECTING PETS DURING HEAT WAVES


KNOW THESE HEAT DISORDER SYMPTOMS
SUNBURN: Redness and pain. In severe cases swelling of skin, blisters, fever, headaches. First Aid: Ointments for mild cases if blisters appear and do not break. If breaking occurs, apply dry sterile dressing. Serious, extensive cases should be seen by physician.

HEAT CRAMPS: Painful spasms usually in muscles of legs and abdomen possible. Heavy sweating. First Aid: Firm pressure on cramping muscles, or gentle massage to relieve spasm. Give sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue use.

HEAT EXHAUSTION: Heavy sweating, weakness, skin cold, pale and clammy. Pulse thready. Normal temperature possible. Fainting and vomiting. First Aid: Get victim out of sun. Lay down and loosen clothing. Apply cool, wet cloths. Fan or move victim to air conditioned room. Sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue use. If vomiting continues, seek immediate medical attention.

HEAT STROKE (or sunstroke): High body temperature (106° F or higher). Hot dry skin. Rapid and strong pulse. Possible unconsciousness. First Aid: HEAT STROKE IS A SEVERE MEDICAL EMERGENCY. SUMMON EMERGENCY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE OR GET THE VICTIM TO A HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY. DELAY CAN BE FATAL. Move the victim to a cooler environment Reduce body temperature with cold bath or sponging. Use extreme caution. Remove clothing, use fans and air conditioners. If temperature rises again, repeat process. Do not give fluids. Persons on salt restrictive diets should consult a physician before increasing their salt intake.


HELPING SOMEONE WITH HEAT EXHAUSTION
The important rules to remember regarding heat exhaustion are to get the ill person out of the sun. Replace the body's lost fluids and salt by having the person drink lots of water, Gatorade, decaffeinated iced tea, or juice. Cool the person's body with fans, cool towels, or sprays. Keep the sufferer out of the sun for the next 12–24 hours. Seek Medical attention IMMEDIATELY if symptoms do not improve!


(Information complied from the Dallas County Health and Human Services Department,the National Weather Service, the City of Fort Worth, the City of Grapevine and RESCUE ROOTER)

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