Are you ready for a Heatwave? Are you ready for a Heatwave?
American Red Cross
Federal Emergency Management Agency
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Reprinted by Permission of the American Red Cross (1997)
Know what these terms mean:
Heatwave: Prolonged period of excessive heat
and humidity. The National Weather Service steps up its
procedures to alert the public during these periods of
excessive heat and humidity.
Heat index: A number in degrees Fahrenheit
that tells how hot it really feels when relative humidity
is added to the actual air temperature. Exposure to full
sunshine can increase the heat index by 15 degrees F.
Heat cramps: Heat cramps are muscular pains
and spasms due to heavy exertion. They usually involve
the abdominal muscles or legs. It is generally thought
that the loss of water from heavy sweating causes the
cramps.
Heat exhaustion: Heat exhaustion typically
occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a warm
humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy
sweating. Blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood
flow to decrease to the vital organs. This results in a
form of mild shock. If not treated, the victim’s
condition will worsen. Body temperature will keep rising
and the victim may suffer heat stroke.
Heat stroke: Heat stroke is life-threatening.
The victim’s temperature control system, which
produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The
body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and
death may result if the body is not cooled quickly.
Sunstroke: Another term for heat stroke.
Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you
must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part
of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4
a.m. and 7 a.m.
Stay indoors as much as possible. If air
conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor,
out of the sunshine. Remember, electric fans do not cool
the air, but they do help sweat evaporate, which cools
your body.
Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
Light colors will reflect away some of the sun’s
energy.
Drink plenty of water regularly and often.
Your body needs water to keep cool.
Drink plenty of fluids even if you do not
feel thirsty.
Water is the safest liquid to drink during
heat emergencies. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine
in them. They can make you feel good briefly, but make
the heat’s effects on your body worse. This is
specially true about beer, which actually dehydrates the
body.
Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid
foods that are high in protein, which increase metabolic
heat.
Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to
do so by a physician.
Heat exhaustion: Cool, moist, pale or flushed
skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting;
dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near
normal.
Heat stroke: Hot, red skin; changes in
consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow
breathing. Body temperature can be very high - sometimes
as high as 105 degrees F. If the person was sweating from
heavy work or exercise, skin may be wet; otherwise it
will feel dry.
Heat cramps: Get the person to a cooler place
and have him or her rest in a comfortable position.
Lightly stretch the affected muscle and replenish fluids.
Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not
give liquids with alcohol or caffeine in them, as they
can make conditions worse.
Heat exhaustion: Get the person out of the
heat and into a cooler place. Remove or loosen tight
clothing and apply cool, wet clothes, such as towels or
sheets. If the person is conscious, give cool water to
drink. Make sure the person drinks slowly. Give a half
glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not give liquids
that contain alcohol or caffeine. Let the victim rest in
a comfortable position, and watch carefully for changes
in his or her condition.
Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a
life-threatening situation. Help is needed fast. Call
9-1-1 or your local emergency number. Move the person to
a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Immerse victim in
a cool bath, or wrap wet sheets around the body and fan
it. Watch for signals of breathing problems. Keep the
person lying down and continue to cool the body any way
you can. If the victim refuses water, is vomiting, or
there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not
give anything to eat or drink.
Heat can affect anyone. However, it is more likely to affect young children, elderly people, and people with health problems.
For instance, people with a medical condition that causes poor blood circulation, and those who take medications to get rid of water from the body (diuretics) or for certain skin conditions may be more susceptible. Consult with a physician if you have any questions about how your medication may affect your ability to tolerate heat.
Be prepared for heat emergencies by having various members of the family do the activities on the checklist below. Then get together to discuss and finalize your Family Disaster Plan.
Discuss what each member of the family would do during a heatwave. Where are the safest and coolest places to be: at home?...at work?... at school?...and other places where you may go?
Coolest place at home:__________________________________
If your home does not have air conditioning, choose other places you can go to get relief from the heat during the warmest part of the day.
Cool places to go to avoid heat:__________________________
Plan changes in your daily activities that would be needed to avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day.
Changes to daily activities:______________________________
Plan to wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
Clothing choices:______________________________________
Some family members may be taking medications or have medical conditions that may cause poor blood circulation or reduced ability to tolerate heat. Discuss these concerns with a physician.
Physician’s special recommendations:______________________
Take an American Red Cross first aid course to learn how to treat heat emergencies and other emergencies.
Household member(s) trained in first aid:__________________
Certifications good through:_____________________________
And remember...when a heat wave, thunderstorm, tornado, earthquake, flood, fire, or other emergency happens in your community, you can count on your local American Red Cross chapter to help you and your family. That’s been our role for more than 100 years.
NOAA PA94052
ARC5032
May 1994