MONROE - The Green County Health Department is urging people to protect themselves from the dangerous heat and humidity expected through the week. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible.
Public health officials urge residents to take steps to prevent serious illness that can result from heat.
Those most vulnerable are the elderly, those with chronic medical conditions, infants and children, and those who work outdoors.
Some health conditions such as obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, poor circulation, sunburn and drug and alcohol use can make it harder for the body to stay cool in hot weather.
Take the necessary precautions to prevent serious health effects such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
- Never leave children, disabled persons or pets in a parked car, even briefly. Temperatures in a car can become life threatening within minutes. On an 80-degree day; the temperatures inside a car - even with the windows cracked slightly - can reach 100 degrees in less than 10 minutes.
- Keep your living space cool. Cover windows to keep the sun from shining in. If you don't have an air conditioner, open windows to let air circulate. When it's hotter than 95 degrees use fans to blow hot air out of the windows rather than to blow hot air on your body. Basements or ground floors are often cooler than upper floors.
- Slow down and limit physical activity. Plan outings or activities for early morning or after dark when temperatures are cooler.
- Drink plenty of water and eat lightly. Don't wait for thirst, but instead drink plenty of water throughout the day. Avoid alcohol or caffeine and stay away from hot, heavy meals.
- Wear lightweight, loose fitting, light colored clothing. Add a hat or umbrella to keep your head cool, and don't forget sunscreen.
- Don't stop taking medication unless your doctor says you should. Take extra care to stay cool, and ask your doctor or pharmacist for any special heat advice.
- Infants should drink breast milk or formula to get the right amount of water, salts and energy. You may supplement your infant's fluids with an additional four to eight ounces of water per day; you don't dilute formula beyond what the instructions say.
- Taking a cool shower or bath will cool you down. A shower or bath will actually work faster than an air conditioner. Applying cold wet rags to the neck, head and limbs also cools down the body quickly. Additionally, the health department encourages all residents to learn the signs and symptoms of heat related illness and what to do.
- Heat Cramps - cramps or muscle spasms in the abdomen, arms or legs. Solution: Stop activity. Cool down, drink clear juice or sports drink.
- Heat Exhaustion - heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, fainting. Solution: Cool down, seek medical attention.
- Heat Stroke - extremely high body temperatures, red, hot, dry skin, rapid pulse, throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, unconsciousness. Solution: Call 911 and cool the victim with shower or hose until help arrives.
Lastly, check on at-risk family, friends and neighbors at least twice a day, and make sure they are drinking enough water.
For more information on extreme heat, call (608) 328-9390 or visit www.readywisconsin.wi.gov and click on Heat Awareness.
Public health officials urge residents to take steps to prevent serious illness that can result from heat.
Those most vulnerable are the elderly, those with chronic medical conditions, infants and children, and those who work outdoors.
Some health conditions such as obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, poor circulation, sunburn and drug and alcohol use can make it harder for the body to stay cool in hot weather.
Take the necessary precautions to prevent serious health effects such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
- Never leave children, disabled persons or pets in a parked car, even briefly. Temperatures in a car can become life threatening within minutes. On an 80-degree day; the temperatures inside a car - even with the windows cracked slightly - can reach 100 degrees in less than 10 minutes.
- Keep your living space cool. Cover windows to keep the sun from shining in. If you don't have an air conditioner, open windows to let air circulate. When it's hotter than 95 degrees use fans to blow hot air out of the windows rather than to blow hot air on your body. Basements or ground floors are often cooler than upper floors.
- Slow down and limit physical activity. Plan outings or activities for early morning or after dark when temperatures are cooler.
- Drink plenty of water and eat lightly. Don't wait for thirst, but instead drink plenty of water throughout the day. Avoid alcohol or caffeine and stay away from hot, heavy meals.
- Wear lightweight, loose fitting, light colored clothing. Add a hat or umbrella to keep your head cool, and don't forget sunscreen.
- Don't stop taking medication unless your doctor says you should. Take extra care to stay cool, and ask your doctor or pharmacist for any special heat advice.
- Infants should drink breast milk or formula to get the right amount of water, salts and energy. You may supplement your infant's fluids with an additional four to eight ounces of water per day; you don't dilute formula beyond what the instructions say.
- Taking a cool shower or bath will cool you down. A shower or bath will actually work faster than an air conditioner. Applying cold wet rags to the neck, head and limbs also cools down the body quickly. Additionally, the health department encourages all residents to learn the signs and symptoms of heat related illness and what to do.
- Heat Cramps - cramps or muscle spasms in the abdomen, arms or legs. Solution: Stop activity. Cool down, drink clear juice or sports drink.
- Heat Exhaustion - heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, fainting. Solution: Cool down, seek medical attention.
- Heat Stroke - extremely high body temperatures, red, hot, dry skin, rapid pulse, throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, unconsciousness. Solution: Call 911 and cool the victim with shower or hose until help arrives.
Lastly, check on at-risk family, friends and neighbors at least twice a day, and make sure they are drinking enough water.
For more information on extreme heat, call (608) 328-9390 or visit www.readywisconsin.wi.gov and click on Heat Awareness.