Stay safe in Michiana heat with tips from the National Weather Service
In the midst of high temperatures across Michiana, the National Weather Service offers tips on how to stay safe despite the heat.
Young children, infants, older adults, pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses are the most vulnerable to heat-related illnesses.
If you’re outside with kids, be sure to take the following steps:
- Don't leave kids (or pets) in a vehicle unattended, even if the windows are open
- Dress infants and kids in loose, lightweight and light-colored clothing
- Make sure kids are drinking plenty of fluids
- Stay away from super cold drinks or drinks that have too much sugar
- Schedule outdoor plans for cooler parts of the day (i.e., the morning or evening)
Even if you don’t fall into one of those categories, it’s still important to be safe during hot summer days:
- Limit strenuous outdoor activities
- If you have to be outside, find shade and drink lots of water
- Take breaks as often as you can
- Check up on the most vulnerable populations
No matter your physical health, heat-related illnesses can happen with even a short period of exposure to the heat. It’s important to know what to look for when it comes to these illnesses:
Heat cramps
- Symptoms: painful muscle cramps and spasms (typically in the legs and abdomen), heavy sweating
- What to do: apply firm pressure on cramping muscles or gently massage to relieve a spasm. Give the person water unless they complain of nausea, then stop giving water
- Get medical help if cramps last longer than an hour
- Heat cramps can lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke
Heat exhaustion
- Symptoms: dizziness, thirst, heavy sweating, nausea, weakness, clammy, cool, pale skin; weak pulse, muscle cramps
- What to do: move to a cooler area, loosen clothing, sip cool water, apply cool, wet cloths to person or have them sit in a cool bath
- Get medical help if symptoms don’t improve, get worse/last longer than an hour or if the person vomits
- Heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke
Heat stroke
- Symptoms: throbbing headache, confusion, dizziness, nausea, body temperature above 103°F, hot, red, dry or damp skin; rapid and strong pulse, becomes unconscious
- What to do: CALL 911 OR GET TO A HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY, move person to a cooler area, loosen clothing and remove extra layers, apply cool cloths or a bath, DO NOT HAVE THEM DRINK FLUIDS
- Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment isn’t issued
Click here to learn more about heat safety from the National Weather Service.
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