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What to
look for and actions to take:-
The information
presented here is taken from products produced by
the U.S. National Weather Service, the National
Oceanographic and
Atmospheric Administration, Environment Canada, and
other international agencies and has been approved
by The Department of Health, Malta.
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Heat
Disorder |
Symptoms |
First Aid |
|
Sunburn |
Skin redness and
pain, possible swelling, blisters, fever,
headaches. |
Take a shower,
using soap, to remove oils that may block pores
preventing the body from cooling naturally. If
blisters occur, apply dry, sterile dressings and
get medical attention. |
|
Heat Cramps |
Painful spasms
usually in leg and abdominal muscles. Heavy
sweating. |
Firm pressure on
cramping muscles or gentle massage to relieve
spasm. Give sips of water. If nausea occurs,
discontinue and seek medical attention.
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Heat Exhaustion |
Heavy sweating,
weakness, skin cold, pale and clammy. Weak
pulse. Normal temperature possible. Fainting,
vomiting. |
Get victim to lie
down in a cool place. Loosen clothing. Apply
cool, wet cloths. Fan or move victim to
air-conditioned place. Give sips of water. If
nausea occurs, discontinue. If vomiting occurs,
seek immediate medical attention. |
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Heat Stroke (Sun
Stroke) |
High body
temperature (41+). Hot, dry skin. Rapid, strong
pulse. Possible unconsciousness. Victim will
likely not sweat. |
Heat stroke is a
severe medical emergency. Call 112 or get the
victim to a hospital immediately. Delay can be
fatal. Move victim to a cooler environment. Try
a cool bath or sponging to reduce body
temperature. Use extreme caution. Remove
clothing. Use fans and/or air conditioners. DO
NOT GIVE FLUIDS |
You can
help yourself and others avoid experiencing the HEAT
DISORDERS (above) by following these safety rules.
Thinking About Yourself
Avoid the Heat.
Stay out of the heat and
indoors as much as possible. Preferably spend time
in an air conditioned space. Only two hours a day in
an air-conditioned space can significantly reduce
the risk of heat-related illness. If air
conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest
floor out of the sunshine. Remember, electric fans
do not cool, they just blow hot air around.
Dress for the heat.
Wear loose-fitting clothes
that cover as much skin as possible. Wearing
lightweight, light-coloured clothing that reflects
heat and sunlight, helps maintain normal body
temperature.
Protect face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
Avoid too much sunshine. Sunburn slows the skin's
ability to cool itself. Use a sunscreen lotion with
a high SPF (sun protection factor) rating.
Drink FOR the Heat.
Drink plenty of water and
natural juices, even if you don't feel thirsty. Even
under moderately strenuous outdoor activity, the
rate your body can absorb fluids is less than the
rate it loses water due to perspiration. However, if
you have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver
disease; are on fluid-restrictive diets; or have a
problem with fluid retention you should consult a
doctor before increasing liquid intake.
Do not drink IN the
Heat. Avoid alcoholic
beverages and beverages with caffeine, such as
coffee, tea, and cola. Alcohol and caffeine
constrict blood vessels near the skin reducing the
amount of heat the body can release. Although beer
and alcohol beverages appear to satisfy thirst, they
actually cause further body dehydration.
Eat for the Heat.
Eat small meals more often.
Avoid foods that are high in protein because they
increase metabolic heat. Avoid using salt tablets,
unless directed to do so by a physician.
Living in the Heat.
Slow down. Reduce, eliminate,
or regulate strenuous activities such as running,
cycling and gardening work when it heats up. The
best times for such activities are during early
morning and late evening hours. Take cool baths or
showers and use cool, wet towels.
Learn the symptoms of
heat disorders and know how to give first aid.
Thinking
About Others
Do not leave children in
a closed vehicle, even for a few minutes.
Temperatures inside a closed vehicle can reach
between 60 and 90 degrees C within 30 minutes on a
hot, sunny day.
When outdoors, protect small children from the sun,
their skin is sensitive.
Help your pets keep
their cool. It will "feel" as hot for them as it
will for you. As with children, do not leave your
pets in a closed vehicle. Be sure your animals have
access to shade and a water bowl full of cold, clean
water. Dogs don't tolerate heat well because they
don't sweat. Their bodies get hot and stay hot.
During summer heat, avoid outdoor games or jogging
with your pet. If you would not walk across hot,
sunbaked asphalt barefoot, don't make your dog walk
on it either. (Dogs can also get blisters on their
paws from hot pavement.) Learn the symptoms of heat
disorders and know how to give first aid.
Thinking
About Your Environment
Protect windows. Hang
shades, curtains, awnings, or louvres on windows
that receive morning or afternoon sun. Outdoor
awnings or louvers can reduce the heat entering the
house by as much as 80%.
Conserve electricity. During periods of extreme
heat, people tend to use a lot more power for air
conditioning which can lead to a power shortage or
outage. Vacuum clean air conditioner filters weekly
during periods of high use.
Keep lights turned down or turned off.
Avoid using the oven.
Learn the symptoms of heat disorders and know how to
give first aid.
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