Are You Ready for a Heat Wave?

Here’s what you can do to prepare yourself, your family, and your pets:

1. Drink lots of water and natural juices, even if you’re not thirsty.
2. Avoid alcohol, coffee, and soft drinks with caffeine.
3. Slow down and stay indoors; avoid going out into the blazing heat, if possible.
4. Keep the shades drawn and blinds closed.
5. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
6. Keep electric lights off or turned down.
7. Take cool baths or showers; use cool towels.
8. Remain in air conditioning, if possible.
9. Eat small, light meals; avoid using cooking ovens.
10. Avoid using salt tablets – unless directed to do so by a physician.
11. Check family members, friends and neighbors.
12. Call 911 if you or anyone you know needs medical attention.

What Heat Related Terms Mean

1. Heat related terms:
• Heat wave – is a 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 – is the number in degrees Fahrenheit that tells how hot it really feels when relative humidity is added to the actual temperature. Exposure to full sunshine can increase the heat index by 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
• 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 – 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 rested, the victim’s condition will worsen. Body temperature will keep rising and the victim may suffer heat stroke.
• Heat stroke – (or sun 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.
2. Signals of heat emergencies:
   • Heat exhaustion – causes cool, moist, pale or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal.
   • Heat stroke – causes 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 Fahrenheit. If the person was sweating from heavy work or exercise, skin may be wet; otherwise, it will feel dry.
3. Treatment of heat emergencies:
   • Heat cramps – get the person to a cooler place and have them rest in a comfortable position. Lightly stretch the affected muscle and replenish fluids. Give a half a glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not give liquids with alcohol or caffeine in them, as they 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 cloths, 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 their condition.
   • Heat stroke – is a life-threatening situation. Help is needed fast. Call 911 or your local emergency number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Immerse the 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. Be prepared for heat 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

1. Discuss what each member of the family would do during a heat wave. Where are the safest and coolest places:
   • in your home?
   • at work?
   • at school? and
   • in other places where you may go?
2. If your home does not have air conditioning, choose other places to can go to get relief from the heat during the warmest part of the day.
3. Plan changes in your daily activities that would be needed to avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day.
4. Plan to wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
5. 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.
6. Take an American Red Cross first aid course to learn how to treat heat emergencies and other emergencies.

Where To Go for Relief and Information

During heat emergencies, senior centers, adult day services, and local community buildings can serve as cooling off centers. Information is provided on an ongoing basis through the network of local centers serving older people.

Family members, friends and neighbors should regularly check on older persons who may be at-risk. For more information about local programs and services available to assist older people during heat waves, call the Illinois Senior HelpLine at 1.800.252.8966 (voice and TTY), your local senior center, or contact us.

Outdoor Pets and Hot Weather

If an animal must be kept outdoors during a heat spell, it must have access to shade and fresh water daily. Children’s wading pools are great for dogs who like to get in the water and garden misters also provide relief.

Most larger-breed dogs and those with thick fur are at greater risk. Also, older pets and puppies, over-weight animals, and pets in poor health need special care.

Here is other hot-weather advice:

• Never leave your pet in your car, even with the widows partly open. Leave your pet at home, with shade and fresh water available.
• Clip long or matted coats short – but not so short that the animal can get sunburned.
• Exercise pets in the morning or evening when it’s cooler.

Signs of trouble include heavy breathing, lethargy, loss of appetite and unsteadiness, vomiting, diarrhea, glazed eyes, or a deep red or purple tongue.

If you pet shows these symptoms:

• Move the animal to shade and apply cool water all over.
• Press ice packs or cold towels on the head, neck, and chest only.
• Offer small amounts of cool water to drink or ice cubes to lick.
• Take your pet to a veterinarian right away.

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