Heat is the number one weather-related killer in the United States. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service statistical data shows heat causes more fatalities per year than floods, lightning, tornadoes, and hurricanes combined. Make sure you know the risks of excessive heat and how to protect yourself and your family from heat related illness.
Heat disorders generally have to do with a reduction or collapse of the body's ability to shed heat by circulatory changes and sweating, or a chemical (salt) imbalance caused by too much sweating.
When heat gain exceeds the level the body can remove, or when the body cannot compensate for fluids and salt lost through perspiration, the temperature of the body's inner core begins to rise and heat-related illness may develop. Ranging in severity, heat disorders share one common feature: the individual has overexposed or over exercised for his age and physical condition in the existing thermal environment.
The severity of heat disorders tend to increase with age - heat cramps in a 17-year-old may be heat exhaustion in someone 40, and heat stroke in a person over 60.
SUNBURN: Redness and pain. In severe cases swelling of skin, blisters, fever, headaches.
First Aid:
HEAT CRAMPS: Painful spasms usually in muscles of legs and abdomen possible. Heavy sweating.
First Aid:
HEAT EXHAUSTION: Heavy sweating, weakness, skin cold, pale and clammy. Pulse thready. Normal temperature possible. Fainting and vomiting.
First Aid:
HEAT STROKE (or sunstroke): High body temperature (106° F or higher). Hot dry skin. Rapid and strong pulse. Possible unconsciousness.
First Aid:
For more information contact your local American Red Cross Chapter. Ask to enroll in a first aid course. 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.
General Safety Tips
Cooling Centers in Dutchess County
Children & Excessive Heat
Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle, even with the windows down. Each year children die from hyperthermia as a result of being left enclosed in parked vehicles. Hyperthermia is an acute condition that occurs when the body absorbs more heat than it can dissipate. This can occur even on a mild day. Leaving the windows slightly open does not significantly decrease the heating rate. The effects can be even more severe on children because their bodies warm at a faster rate than adults.
Thermometer
Check to make sure seating surfaces and equipment (child safety seat and safety belt buckles) aren't too hot when securing a child in a safety restraint system in a car that has been parked in the heat.
Always lock car doors and trunks -- even at home -- and keep keys out of children's reach.
Always make sure all child passengers have left the car when you reach your destination. Don't overlook sleeping infants.
Heat Safety Tips for the Elderly
Dangerous increases in body temperatures are more likely to occur in the elderly. Mortality, from all causes, rises dramatically during heat waves in people over 50 and it progresses with increasing age. Help protect elderly relatives and neighbors from heat-related problems by taking a few simply precautions:
Pet Safety in the Heat
It is important to protect pets and consider their comfort and safety. Remember, “if it is too hot for me, it’s too hot for my pet”.
Dogs and cats don’t sweat so they don’t have an efficient way to cool down! They need your help!
Water - Pets should have a cool fresh water supply. So check and change their water often and on really warm days add a few ice cubes.
Shelter - Pets left outside should have shade and fresh cool water within reach. New York State Law states all dogs kept outdoors that cannot immediately run back inside an insulated permanent structure are required to have dog houses.
If you have any questions as to if your dog house meets the standards or if your dog needs a dog house, contact the Dutchess County SPCA Humane Law Department at 845-452-7722 Ext. 3.
All pets need access to shade whether natural or artificial. On very warm days bring your pet inside.
Exercise your pet during the cooler hours of the day – morning and evening. Keep them hydrated and watch for heat stress.
Paw Problems - Can occur from hot pavement, sticky tar or gravel. Never use kerosene or turpentine to remove tar from pets. Chemicals can irritate the skin and can be toxic. Check with your vet as to the proper treatment of removing tar or any other foreign substance.
NEVER LEAVE YOUR PET UNATTENDED IN A PARKED CAR! Temperatures can reach over 120 degrees in minutes. Parking in the shade even with the windows open can be dangerous and your pet can die within minutes. Don’t let your pets ride with their heads out the window or in the back of a pickup. They can be hit by flying debris or be thrown or jump out of your truck.
