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 It’s important for people to recognize the signs of heat-related
illness and take action to prevent becoming sick. High heat and
humidity can lead to serious health problems,” Director Shah said.
“To help your body cope with high temperatures, take steps to stay
cool, increase your fluid intake, decrease your activities and wear
appropriate clothing.”
Stay Cool Stay in air-conditioned buildings. Cooling
centers can be found by logging onto
http://www. illinois.gov/KeepCool/SitePages/Cooling Centers.aspx.
Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device.
Limit outdoor activity, especially midday when it is the hottest
part of the day, and avoid direct sunlight. Wear loose,
lightweight, light-colored clothing. Take cool showers or
baths to lower your body temperature.
Check on at-risk
friends, family, and neighbors at least twice a day. These may
include seniors and people with chronic health conditions.
Stay Hydrated Drink more water than usual and don’t wait
until you’re thirsty to hydrate. Drink 2 to 4 cups of water
every hour while working or exercising outside. Avoid alcohol
or beverages with high amounts of sugar.
Stay Informed Check the local news for extreme heat warnings.
Visit
www.dph.illinois.gov for heat related information.
Normally, the body cools itself by sweating. However, if
temperatures and humidity are extremely high, sweating is not
effective in maintaining the body’s normal temperature. If the body
does not cool properly or does not cool enough, a person may suffer
a heat-related illness, which can become serious or even deadly if
unattended. Warning signs and symptoms vary but may include:
HEAT EXHAUSTION
Symptoms
- Heavy sweating
- Weakness
- Skin cold, pale and
clammy
- Weak pulse
- Fainting and vomiting
What You Should Do
- Move to a cooler
location.
- Lie down and loosen
your clothing
- Apply cool, wet
cloths to as much of your body as possible
- Sip water.
- If you have vomited
and it continues, seek medical attention immediately.
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HEAT STROKE
Symptoms
- High body temperature
(above 103F)
- Hot, red, dry or moist
skin
- Rapid and strong pulse
- Possible unconsciousness
What You Should Do
- Call 911 immediately
– this is a medical emergency.
- Move the person to a
cooler location.
- Reduce the person’s
body temperature with cool cloths or a bath.
- Do NOT give
fluids.
People most vulnerable for
heat-related illness include the elderly, those who work or
exercise outdoors, infants and children, the homeless or
poor, and people with a chronic medical condition.
The Illinois Department on Aging
encourages relatives and friends to make daily visits or
calls to senior citizens living alone. When temperatures
and humidity are extremely high, seniors and people with
chronic health conditions should be monitored for
dehydration and other effects of extreme heat.
Additionally, seniors should eat lighter meals, take longer
and more frequent rests, and drink plenty of fluids.
Never leave anyone, including pets,
alone in a closed, parked vehicle. The air temperature
inside a car rises rapidly during hot weather and can lead
to brain damage or death.
Log onto
www.ready.illinois.gov and scroll toward the bottom for
statewide weather information.
[Illinois Department of Public
Health]
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