With heat indices expected to reach 100 – 105 degrees this summer, Santa Rosa County Emergency Management reminds residents and visitors to use caution. The elderly, small children, persons with chronic illnesses, those taking certain medications or drugs (especially tranquilizers and anticholinergics), and persons with weight and alcohol problems should use extreme caution. Along with hyperthermia, heat may trigger other medical problems. As we continue to experience extreme temperatures, do not forget the heat also affects your pets.
The most important step the public can take is to never leave a child, the elderly or a pet in an unattended vehicle. Reports show that 22 hyperthermia deaths of children ages from seven months to 13 years old left in cars have already occurred in 2008. The temperature in a vehicle can rise 15 - 20 degrees in less than 10 minutes and children's body temperature warms at a rate of 3 to 5 times faster than an adult’s does. Leaving the windows partially rolled down is not sufficient. Even if you plan to be in the store for “just a sec,” your child, elderly and/or pet are at risk of a heat stroke.
To prevent heat disorders, please follow these heat wave safety tips from the National Weather Service:
- Slow down. Strenuous activities should be reduced, eliminated, or rescheduled to the coolest time of the day. Individuals at risk should stay in the coolest available place, not necessarily indoors.
- Dress for summer. Lightweight light-colored clothing reflects heat and sunlight, and helps your body maintain normal temperatures.
- Put less fuel on your inner fires. Foods (like proteins) that increase metabolic heat production also increase water loss.
- Drink plenty of water or other non-alcohol fluids. Your body needs water to keep cool. Drink plenty of fluids even if you don’t feel thirsty. Persons who have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease; are on fluid restrictive diets or; have a problem with fluid retention should consult a physician before increasing their consumption of fluids.
- Do not drink alcoholic beverages.
- Do not take salt tablets unless specified by a physician.
- Spend more time in air-conditioned places. Air conditioning in homes and other buildings markedly reduces danger from the heat. If you cannot afford an air conditioner, spending some time each day (during hot weather) in an air conditioned environment affords some protection.
- Don’t get too much sun. Sunburn makes the job of heat dissipation that much more difficult.
Over exposure to heat can cause minor to serious conditions. Be aware of and on the look out for following symptoms of common heat disorders:
Sunburn: Redness and pain. In severe cases swelling of skin, blisters, fever, headaches. First Aid: Ointments for mild cases if blisters appear and do not break. If breaking occurs, apply dry sterile dressing. Serious, extensive cases should be seen by physician. - Heat cramps: Painful spasms usually in muscles of legs and abdomen possible. Heavy sweating. First Aid: Firm pressure on cramping muscles, or gentle massage to relieve spasm. Give sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue use.
- Heat exhaustion: Heavy sweating, weakness, skin cold, pale and clammy. Pulse thready. Normal temperature possible. Fainting and vomiting. First Aid: Get victim out of sun. Lay down and loosen clothing. Apply cool, wet cloths. Fan or move victim to air conditioned room. Sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue use. If vomiting continues, seek immediate medical attention.
- Heat stroke (or sunstroke): High body temperature (106° F. or higher). Hot dry skin. Rapid and strong pulse. Possible unconsciousness.
- First Aid: Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency. Summon emergency medical assistance or get the victim to a hospital immediately. Delay can be fatal. Move the victim to a cooler environment Reduce body temperature with cold bath or sponging. Use extreme caution. Remove clothing, use fans and air conditioners. If temperature rises again, repeat process. Do not give fluids. Persons on salt restrictive diets should consult a physician before increasing their salt intake.
Santa Rosa Animal Services recommends all pet owners follow these simple steps outlined by Pets America, an emergency preparedness and disaster relief resource for pet owners:
- Keep animals out of direct sunlight during the heat of the day, roughly 10 am to 6 pm.
- Prevent sunburn. Animals can get sunburned too, especially shorthaired dogs, or dogs and cats with pink skin and white hair.
- Always make sure animals have access to fresh water and shade.
- Avoid strenuous exercise with your dog on extremely hot days, and do not exercise during the intense, mid-day heat.
- Test the heat radiating from the sidewalk or street on your own two feet. If it is too hot for you to stand on with your bare feet, it will be too hot for the sensitive pads of your pet’s feet as well. The same applies to the back of a pickup truck. Place your hand against the bed of the pickup truck. If the metal surface is too hot for your hand, it is too hot for your animals.
Cats exhibit many of the same symptoms as dogs when stressed by the heat. Early signs of heat stroke can be panting that lasts more than a few minutes, anxiety and pacing, increased heartbeat, respiratory distress or hyperventilation, lethargy, and an increased body temperature.