Preventing Heat Illness for the General Public
Hot and humid summer weather can cause serious illness and death. Air conditioning is the best way to keep cool when it's hot outside, but some people don't have an air conditioner or don't turn it on when they need it. Read this fact sheet to learn more about heat illness, the importance of keeping cool to prevent heat illness, and how to help family members, friends and neighbors during a heat wave.
What is heat illness?
- Heat illness occurs when the body cannot cool down.
- The body normally cools itself by sweating and
increasing blood flow to the skin.
- When the body cannot keep cool, the brain and other organs can be damaged, causing illness and even death.
- Heat illness includes health conditions which occur
directly because of the hot weather. This includes illnesses such as
heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
- Keeping cool can be hard work for the body. This extra stress on the body can worsen other health conditions such as heart and lung disease.
Who is most likely going to get sick from the heat?
People who:
- Are 65 years of age or older
- Are 4 years of age or younger
- Have chronic medical conditions such as congestive
heart failure, diabetes, or emphysema
- Have mental health conditions such as dementia,
Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia
- Take certain medications that keep the body from
cooling down
- Are unable to leave the house
- Are confined to bed
- Are obese
- Work in restaurant kitchens, construction sites, or
other hot environments
- Are athletes and people who exercise strenuously in hot weather
Talk to your doctor about how to prevent heat illness during hot and humid weather.
What are the signs of heat illness?
Recognize the symptoms of heat illness, such as:
- •Headache
- •Dizziness or fainting
- •Nausea or vomiting
- •Weakness
|
- •Muscle cramps
- •Confusion, irritability, disorientation, or
hallucinations
- •Trouble breathing
- •Hot, dry skin OR cold, clammy skin
|
What should I do if I feel sick from the heat?
- Go to a cool place, rest, and drink water
- If you are outdoors, move into the shade or get into an air conditioned place.
- Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you don’t
feel better or are feeling worse.
- People with heart or lung disease such as congestive heart failure, diabetes, angina, or emphysema should call 911 or go to the emergency room right away if they do not feel well during a heat wave.
How can heat illness be prevented?
Use an air conditioner during a heat wave.
- Make sure it works before summer begins.
- If you do not have an air conditioner:
- Go to a cool place like a neighbor’s house,
library, shopping mall, swimming pool, or NYC Cooling Center
- Keep your windows open to let in fresh air
- Consider buying an air conditioner
- Take a cool shower or bath. Be careful because
sudden temperature changes may make you feel dizzy or sick
- Use a fan ONLY when the air conditioner is on or
when the windows are open. Otherwise, a fan will just blow around hot air.
- If you use a window fan, set it to blow out hot air during the day and bring in cooler air at night
Drink water even if you do not feel thirsty.
- Check your urine – Dark urine may mean you are not
drinking enough.
- Avoid drinks with alcohol, caffeine or lots of sugar.
- During heavy exercise or work, you may need to replace electrolytes as well as fluids. Certain sports drinks may help.
Warning: Talk to your doctor about how to increase the amount of water you drink if you are on a fluid restricted diet.
Check on family members, friends and neighbors to make sure they are keeping cool.
- If you know someone at high risk, check on them at
least once a day and help get them to a cool place if necessary.
- If you have an air conditioned home or apartment, consider inviting them over to ‘share the cool’.
Other ways to protect yourself from the heat
Stay out of the sun. If you must be in the sun, wear:
- A hat to protect your face and head
- Thin, light-colored, loose-fitting clothes to cover
as much skin as possible
- Sunscreen (at least SPF 15)
- Sunglasses
Avoid strenuous activities, especially in the hottest part of the day. Limit outdoor activities to early morning and late evening hours.
Do not leave children, elderly, or pets in cars
- Cars can quickly heat up to dangerous temperatures even on cool days and with the windows open.
Keep your home cooler inside.
- Install window shades and curtains to keep the sun
out of your home.
- Try not to use your stove and oven.
What is the heat index?
- The heat index is a measure of how hot it feels based
on temperature and humidity. The National weather service will issue
heat advisories or heat warnings based on the heat index.
- Pay attention to weather reports. A heat index above 100°F means it’s important to stay cool.
- Even before it gets hot enough to issue a heat advisory, people can get sick from the heat, especially if they do not have air conditioning.
|
A Heat Advisory is issued when the maximum heat index is forecast to be 100°F (38°C) to 104°F (40°C) or when the nighttime low is forecast to be above 80°F (27°C).
An Excessive Heat Watch or Warning is issued when the heat index is forecast to be 105 degrees or more.
|
Where can I get more information?
Last update: 07/29/2008
