Hot weather can be a personal safety hazard. When
it's above 90 degrees don't leave children or pets in your car with the
windows rolled up and no air conditioning. In just a few minutes the
inside temperatures of the care can rise to more than 100 degrees.
Doing too much on a hot day, spending too much time in the sun or staying
too long in an overheated place can cause heat-related illnesses. Know the
symptoms of heat disorders and overexposure to the sun, and be ready to give
first aid treatment.
Before
Contact your local emergency management office [598-0301]or American Red
Cross [598-9500] chapter for information on extreme heat.
Install window air conditioners snugly.
Close any floor heat registers nearby.
Insulate spaces around air conditioners for a tighter fit.
Use a circulating or box fan to spread the cool air.
Keep heat outside and cool air inside.
- Install temporary reflectors, such as aluminum foil covered cardboard,
to reflect any heat back outside. Keep the cool air inside by
weather-stripping doors and windowsills.
- Consider keeping storm windows up all year. Storm windows can keep the
heat of a house in the summer the same way they keep the cold out in the
winter.
- Check air-conditioning ducts for proper insulation.
During
Protect windows. Hang shades, draperies, awnings, or louvers on windows
that receive morning or afternoon sun. Outdoor awnings or louvers can reduce
the heat entering the house by as much as 80 percent. Conserve electricity.
During periods of extreme heat, people tend to use a lot more power for air
conditioning which can lead to a power shortage or outage. stay indoors as much
as possible. If air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor
out of the sunshine. Remember that electric fans do not cool, they just blow
hot air around.
Eat well-balanced, light meals.
Drink plenty of water regularly. Persons who have epilepsy or heart,
kidney, or liver disease; are on fluid-restrictive diets; or have a problem
with fluid retention should consult a doctor before increasing liquid intake.
Limit intake of alcoholic beverages. Although beer and alcohol beverages
appear to satisfy thirst, they actually cause further body dehydration.
Dress in loose-fitting clothes that cover as much skin as possible.
Lightweight, light-colored clothing that reflects heat and sunlight and helps
maintain normal body temperature.
Protect face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
Allow your body to get acclimated to hot temperatures for the first 2 or 3
days of a heat wave.
Avoid too much sunshine. Sunburn slows the skin's ability to cool itself.
Use a sunscreen lotion with a high SPF (sun protection factor) rating.
Avoid extreme temperature changes. A cool shower immediately after coming
in from hot temperatures can result in hypothermia, particularly for elderly
and very young people.
Slow down. Reduce, eliminate, or reschedule strenuous activities. High-risk
individuals should stay in cool places. Get plenty of rest to allow your
natural "cooling system" to work.
Take salt tablets only if specified by your physician. Persons on
salt-restrictive diets should check with a physician before increasing salt
intake.
Vacuum air conditioner filters weekly during periods of high use.
Learn the symptoms of heat disorders and know how to give first aid.
During a Drought
Lower water use. Watering the lawn and washing the car waste water.
Whenever possible, re-use water.
Place a brick or other large, solid object in the flush tank of the toilet
to reduce the water used to flush.
Farmers should contact the county Farm Service Agency for disaster
assistance information.
Heat Disorders
- Sunburn
- Symptoms: Skin redness and pain, possible swelling, blisters, fever,
headaches.
- First Aid: Take a shower, using soap, to remove oils that may block
pores preventing the body from cooling naturally. If blisters occur, apply
dry, sterile dressings and get medical attention.
- Heat Cramps
- Symptoms: Painful spasms usually in leg and abdominal muscles. Heavy
sweating.
- First Aid: Firm pressure on cramping muscles or gentle massage to
relieve spasm. Give sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue.
- Heat Exhaustion
- Symptoms: Heavy sweating, weakness, skin cold, pale and clammy. Weak
pulse. Normal temperature possible. Fainting, vomiting.
- First Aid: Get victim to lie down in a cool place. Loosen clothing.
Apply cool, wet cloths. Fan or move victim to air-conditioned place. Give
sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue. If vomiting occurs, seek
immediate medical attention.
- Heat Stroke (Sun Stroke)
- Symptoms: High body temperature (106+). Hot, dry skin. Rapid, strong
pulse. Possible unconsciousness. Victim will likely not sweat.
- First Aid: Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency. Call 9-1-1 or
emergency medical services or get the victim to a hospital immediately.
Delay can be fatal. Move victim to a cooler environment. Try a cool bath or
sponging to reduce body temperature. Use extreme caution. Remove clothing.
Use fans and/or air conditioners. DO NOT GIVE FLUIDS.
West Virginia suffered from a prolong drought between
April, 1930 to November, 1931. Upper Tract of Pendleton County had only
9.5 inches of rain for the entire year of 1930. Many wells, streams,
springs were dry. Towns were forced to haul water for domestic
consumption. The worst drought conditions were during the autumn of
1930. People walked across the Monongahela River at Morgantown without
getting their feet wet. Extreme heat accompanied the drought during the
summer of 1930. The average monthly temperature in Williamson for July,
1930 was 82.8 degrees, and that's considering both their high and low
temperature. Moorefield reached 112 degrees on August 4, 1930.
That's the hottest state temperature the 20th century, equaled again at
Martinsburg in 1936.
On Saturday, July 16, 1988 extreme heat caused streets and
neighborhoods in the State to be deserted. -- Ripley, Martinsburg and
Sutton at 107 degrees -- Charleston and Parkersburg at 104 degrees and 100
degrees in Morgantown.
Heat Safety
Tips
