Emergency Management Officials urge caution when
temperatures rise
Offer safety tips to help people beat the heat
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[July 02, 2015]
SPRINGFIELD
– The hottest days of summer are just around the corner, and the
Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and local emergency
management agencies are offering heat safety tips to help people
play it safe when temperatures rise. |
“Warm weather is a welcomed relief after the long, cold winter we
endured this year,” said IEMA Director James K. Joseph. “But
summertime comes with its own hazards, many related to excessive
heat. We want to help people avoid these risks and enjoy a fun, safe
summer.”
Joseph said one of the most important safety tips when temperatures
rise is to never leave children, elderly people, disabled adults or
pets in parked cars, even for a short time. Temperatures inside a
parked vehicle can rapidly rise to dangerous levels even if the
windows are slightly open, and can lead to brain damage or death.
The effects can be more severe on children because their bodies warm
at a faster rate than adults.
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“Twenty years ago a heat wave led to the deaths of more than 1,000
people in the Midwest during a single week. The July 1995 heat wave
tragically demonstrated that heat and humidity are a deadly
combination,” said Chris Miller, warning coordination meteorologist
with the National Weather Service in Lincoln. “Hot and humid
conditions put a lot of stress on the human body and can lead to
serious health conditions such as heat exhaustion, heat stroke or
even death.”
Hot weather tips include:
- Always lock car doors and trunks, even at home, and keep
keys out of children's reach.
- Stay hydrated by drinking at least 1˝ to 2 quarts of fluids
daily, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
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- Avoid alcoholic beverages and drinks containing
caffeine.
- Avoid overexertion and strenuous outdoor activities if
possible.
- Take advantage of cooling centers, public pools and
air-conditioned stores and malls during periods of extreme
heat. Even a few hours a day in air conditioning can help
prevent heat-related illnesses.
- Don’t forget your pets. Offer pets extra water and place
the water bowl in a shaded area if outdoors. Make sure pets
have a shady refuge where they can escape direct sun
exposure.
- If you or someone around you begins experiencing
dizziness, nausea, headache, confusion and a rapid pulse,
seek medical attention immediate, as these could be the
symptoms of heatstroke.
Additional tips on how to protect yourself and others
from heat-related illnesses are available on the state’s
Ready Illinois website
www.Ready.
Illinois.gov
[Illinois Emergency Management
Agency]
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