MONROE - Wisconsin Heat Awareness Day is Thursday, June 14 and RoAnn Warden, director of Green County Health Department and Tanna McKeon, director of Green County Emergency Management, are reminding residents to avoid heat-related illness or even death.
Across the nation, more people die from extreme heat conditions than any other weather event, including tornadoes and hurricanes, they said.
Anyone who does not increase fluids or limits physical activity during extreme heat can be susceptible to a heat-related illness. Some people are at higher risk, including older adults; infants and young children; people with chronic heart or lung problems; people with disabilities; people who are overweight; people who work outdoors or in hot settings; and people who are isolated who don't know when or how to cool off, or when to call for help.
Some medications can also increase chances of a heat-related illness such as medications for mental disorders, movement disorder, allergies, depression and heart or circulatory problems. People who take any of these medications or are concerned about other medications should consult their doctor for any special heat advice. Take extra care to stay cool too.
Some symptoms of heat-related illness are cramps or muscle spasms in the abdomen, arms or legs. If these occur you should stop activity, cool down and drink clear juice or sports drinks.
Heat exhaustion symptoms include heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea and fainting. Those experiencing these symptoms need to immediately cool down and seek medical attention. Heat stroke is an extremely serious condition with an extremely high body temperature, red, hot dry skin, rapid pulse, throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion and unconsciousness. Immediate medical attention is needed; call 911 and cool the person with cold water until help arrives.
Every year, people or pets are left in cars on hot days and perish from the extreme temperature that builds up inside. On an 80-degree day with sunshine, the temperature inside a car, even with the windows cracked slightly, can rise 20 to 30 degrees above the outside temperature within 10 to 20 minutes.
Follow these simple tips to help you keep cool during hot days:
n Keep living space cool by covering windows to keep the sun out. If there is no air conditioner, open windows to let air circulate. When it's hotter than 95 degrees, use fans to blow hot air out of the window rather than to blow hot air on your body. Basements or ground floors are often cooler than upper floors.
n Slow down and limit physical activity. Plan outings or exertions for the early morning or after dark when temperatures are cooler.
n Drink plenty of water, eat lightly and don't wait for thirst. Avoid alcohol or caffeine and stay away from hot, heavy meals.
n Wear lightweight, loose fitting, light colored clothing, sunscreen and add a hat or umbrella to keep your head cool.
n Apply cold wet rags to the neck, head and limbs to help cool your body down quickly. Taking a cool shower or bath will actually work faster than an air conditioner.
n Contact a friend or relative and ask to stay at their home during excessively hot days or spend some time at a local restaurant, shopping center or library if you don't have air conditioning.
More information is available at www.cdc.gov/Features/ExtremeHeat or readywisconsin.wi.gov and clicking on "Heat Awareness."
Across the nation, more people die from extreme heat conditions than any other weather event, including tornadoes and hurricanes, they said.
Anyone who does not increase fluids or limits physical activity during extreme heat can be susceptible to a heat-related illness. Some people are at higher risk, including older adults; infants and young children; people with chronic heart or lung problems; people with disabilities; people who are overweight; people who work outdoors or in hot settings; and people who are isolated who don't know when or how to cool off, or when to call for help.
Some medications can also increase chances of a heat-related illness such as medications for mental disorders, movement disorder, allergies, depression and heart or circulatory problems. People who take any of these medications or are concerned about other medications should consult their doctor for any special heat advice. Take extra care to stay cool too.
Some symptoms of heat-related illness are cramps or muscle spasms in the abdomen, arms or legs. If these occur you should stop activity, cool down and drink clear juice or sports drinks.
Heat exhaustion symptoms include heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea and fainting. Those experiencing these symptoms need to immediately cool down and seek medical attention. Heat stroke is an extremely serious condition with an extremely high body temperature, red, hot dry skin, rapid pulse, throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion and unconsciousness. Immediate medical attention is needed; call 911 and cool the person with cold water until help arrives.
Every year, people or pets are left in cars on hot days and perish from the extreme temperature that builds up inside. On an 80-degree day with sunshine, the temperature inside a car, even with the windows cracked slightly, can rise 20 to 30 degrees above the outside temperature within 10 to 20 minutes.
Follow these simple tips to help you keep cool during hot days:
n Keep living space cool by covering windows to keep the sun out. If there is no air conditioner, open windows to let air circulate. When it's hotter than 95 degrees, use fans to blow hot air out of the window rather than to blow hot air on your body. Basements or ground floors are often cooler than upper floors.
n Slow down and limit physical activity. Plan outings or exertions for the early morning or after dark when temperatures are cooler.
n Drink plenty of water, eat lightly and don't wait for thirst. Avoid alcohol or caffeine and stay away from hot, heavy meals.
n Wear lightweight, loose fitting, light colored clothing, sunscreen and add a hat or umbrella to keep your head cool.
n Apply cold wet rags to the neck, head and limbs to help cool your body down quickly. Taking a cool shower or bath will actually work faster than an air conditioner.
n Contact a friend or relative and ask to stay at their home during excessively hot days or spend some time at a local restaurant, shopping center or library if you don't have air conditioning.
More information is available at www.cdc.gov/Features/ExtremeHeat or readywisconsin.wi.gov and clicking on "Heat Awareness."