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Know What These Terms
Mean
- Heat wave: Prolonged 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: A number in degrees
Fahrenheit (F) that tells how hot it really
feels when relative humidity is added to the
actual air temperature. Exposure to full
sunshine can increase the heat index by 15
degrees F.
- Heat cramps: Heat cramps are
muscular pains and spasms due to heavy
exertion. Although heat cramps are the least
severe, they are an early signal that the
body is having trouble with the heat.
- Heat exhaustion: Heat exhaustion
typically occurs when people exercise
heavily or work in a hot, 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
treated, the victim may suffer heat stroke.
- Heat stroke: Heat 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.
- Sunstroke: Another term for heat
stroke.
If a Heat Wave Is
Predicted or Happening...
- Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If
you must do strenuous activity, do it during
the coolest part of the day, which is
usually in the morning between 4:00 a.m. and
7:00 a.m.
- Stay indoors as much as possible. If air
conditioning is not available, stay on the
lowest floor, out of the sunshine. Try to go
to a public building with air conditioning
each day for several hours. Remember,
electric fans do not cool the air, but they
do help sweat evaporate, which cools your
body.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored
clothing. Light colors will reflect away
some of the sun's energy.
- Drink plenty of water regularly and
often. Your body needs water to keep cool.
- Drink plenty of fluids even if you do
not feel thirsty.
- Water is the safest liquid to drink
during heat emergencies. Avoid drinks with
alcohol or caffeine in them. They can make
you feel good briefly, but make the heat's
effects on your body worse. This is
especially true about beer, which dehydrates
the body.
- Eat small meals and eat more often.
Avoid foods that are high in protein, which
increase metabolic heat.
- Avoid using salt tablets unless directed
to do so by a physician.
Signals of Heat
Emergencies...
- Heat exhaustion: Cool, moist,
pale, or flushed skin; heavy sweating;
headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and
exhaustion. Body temperature will be near
normal.
- Heat stroke: Hot, red skin;
changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse;
and rapid, shallow breathing. Body
temperature can be very high-- as high as
105 degrees F. If the person was sweating
from heavy work or exercise, skin may be
wet; otherwise, it will feel dry.
Treatment of Heat
Emergencies
- Heat cramps: Get the person to a
cooler place and have him or her rest in a
comfortable position. Lightly stretch the
affected muscle and replenish fluids. Give a
half glass of cool water every 15 minutes.
Do not give liquids with alcohol or caffeine
in them, as they can 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 his or her
condition.
- Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a
life-threatening situation. Help is needed
fast. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency
number. Move the person to a cooler place.
Quickly cool the body. Immerse 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 or is
vomiting or there are changes in the level
of consciousness, do not give anything to
eat or drink.
Your Local Red Cross
Chapter Can Provide Additional Materials in
English and Spanish:
Materials for
Children
-
"Disaster Preparedness Coloring Book"
(PDF File)
(ARC 2200, English, or ARC 2200S,
En Español
(PDF File)
for children ages 3-10.
- "Adventures of the Disaster Dudes" (ARC
5024) video and Presenter's Guide for use by
an adult with children in grades 4-6.
And remember...when a heat wave, earthquake,
tornado, flood, fire, or other emergency happens
in your community, you can count on your local
American Red Cross chapter to be there to
help you and your family. Your Red Cross is not
a government agency and depends on contributions
of your time, money, and blood. For more
information, please contact your local
American Red Cross chapter or emergency
management office. |
