Tips to Stay Safe in the Heat

> Tips to Stay Safe in the Heat

May 5, 2009

Tips to Stay Safe in the Heat

The city of Phoenix Emergency Management Program, in cooperation with the state, Maricopa County, and nonprofit and faith-based organizations, continues  to take action to ensure the safety of its residents.

Both the Fire and Police departments will respond to heat emergencies and provide water during extreme heat warnings. The Human Services Department is educating senior citizens at its 15 senior centers on the dangers of heat exposure and how to recognize heat stroke, heat exhaustion and heat cramps. The department also makes sure that caseworkers who come in contact with the elderly are able to advise seniors about the effects of heat and how to protect themselves during the summer.

“The best advice we can give to residents is to stay hydrated, especially when you go outside during the day. And please keep a special eye on your neighbors, particularly children and the elderly,” said Mayor Phil Gordon.

“Phoenix also is working closely with nonprofit and faith-based organizations that are helping with outreach efforts to the homeless,” he said.

Donations

Through the city’s annual Summer Respite Program, the public is asked to donate unopened water bottles, sunscreen, new underwear, white socks, white T-shirts, insect repellent and prepackaged snack items that will be distributed to the homeless by experienced homeless outreach teams. Tax-deductible donations may be delivered to the city’s three Family Services Centers:

    • Travis L. Williams, 4732 S. Central Ave., 602-534-4732
    • John F. Long, 3454 N. 51st Ave., 602-262-6510
    • Sunnyslope, 914 W. Hatcher Road, 602-495-5229

 

The centers are open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.

The city partners with 12 local homeless outreach teams to distribute these items. They include Tumbleweed Center for Youth Development, Stand Up for Kids, Basic Mission, Community Bridges, HomeBase Youth Services, The Salvation Army Project HOPE, Health Care for the Homeless, TERROS, Southwest Behavioral Health Service/PATH Outreach, US Vets, Set Free Ministry and Catholic Charities.

City staff is working with faith-based organizations in the metropolitan area to provide heat assistance in the areas of hydration and respite efforts, and wellness checks. They will help collect, store and distribute bottled water; provide a cool, safe place for people to escape the heat; and check on the elderly and disabled to make sure they have access to cool and safe places. City staff is providing training and information to these volunteers. Any faith-based organizations interested in assisting can call 602-262-4520 or visit Heat Relief Network.

St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance also will assist the city in storing large quantities of water during the summer months. Any company or group interested in donating water or contributing funds to buy water can call the Human Services Department at 602-262-4520.

The Lodestar Day Resource Center will provide services and respite for homeless individuals in downtown Phoenix. The Phoenix Rescue Mission, a men’s shelter, will offer day respite, meals and shelter at its 35th Avenue location and United Methodist Outreach Ministries will provide additional day and night shelter for women and families. Residents needing further information about these services can call Community Information and Referral at 602-263-8856.

Tips to keep cool and healthy during times of extreme heat

Even healthy people should take precautions during extremely high temperatures, and those with respiratory and other health problems must be especially careful. Stay out of the sun as much as possible. Drink extra fluids, but avoid alcoholic beverages. Alcohol can cause dehydration. People who work or live outdoors, young children and the elderly are at greater risk to suffer from heat-related illness. Be sure to check on your neighbors, especially if they are elderly or living alone.

The best ways to prevent a sun stress emergency are:

    • Drink before you’re thirsty and drink often.
    • Eat a healthy diet.
    • Wear a hat or cap, keep the neck covered and wear loose fitting clothing.
    • If you can, work in the cool hours of the day or evening.

 

According to the Phoenix Fire Department, heat-related injuries fall into three major categories:

Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms that occur when the body loses electrolytes during profuse sweating or when inadequate electrolytes are taken into the body. They usually begin in the arms, legs or abdomen and often precede heat exhaustion. Treatment for heat cramps is to rest in the shade, get near a fan, spray with water and massage the cramp.

Heat exhaustion is a medical emergency. When a person is suffering from heat exhaustion, they will perspire profusely and most likely will be pale. It is best treated by taking the patient to a cool place, applying cool compresses, elevating the feet and giving fluids.

Heatstroke is the worst heat-related injury. The brain has lost its ability to regulate body temperature. The patient will be hot, reddish and warm to the touch. Their temperature will be markedly high and there will be no perspiration. This is a medical emergency: call 9-1-1.

The emergency care of heatstroke is to cool the body as quickly as possible. One of the best methods for cooling the body during a heat emergency is to wrap the patient in cool, wet sheets.

Tips to avoid heat-related illness

    • Never leave infants, children or pets inside a parked vehicle.
    • Increase fluid intake, regardless of activity level. Don’t wait until thirsty to drink fluids; drink more liquid than one’s thirst indicates.
    • There is no optimum temperature of drinking water, but most people tend not to drink warm or very cold fluids as readily as they will cool ones.
    • Avoid “heat hangover.” Continue to drink fluids even after strenuous activity. This will enable the body to maintain optimum hydration and help prevent the after effects of heat exposure such as headaches and fatigue.
    • Avoid beverages containing alcohol, caffeine or large amounts of sugar as they dehydrate the body.
    • Avoid very cold beverages as they cause stomach cramps.
    • Never depend on thirst to signal when and how much to drink. Instead, drink five to seven ounces of fluids every 15 to 20 minutes to replenish the necessary fluids in the body.
    • Limit exercise or outdoor activity between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. when the sun is at its peak intensity. If active during this time frame, drink a minimum of 16 to 32 ounces of water each hour.
    • Some medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, may increase the risk of heat-related illness. Consult your physician if you have questions.
    • Take advantage of free air conditioning! Visit shopping malls, movie theaters or the library to escape the heat for a few hours.

 

Outdoor protection:

    • When outdoors, wear a sunscreen with a minimum SPF15. Apply at least 30 minutes prior to going outdoors and re-apply as necessary.
    • Rest frequently in shady areas so that the body's temperature has a chance to recover.
    • If unaccustomed to working or exercising in a hot environment, gradually increase the pace and limit exercise or work time.

 

Clothing:

    • Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.
    • Wear sunglasses to protect the eyes.
    • Use a wide-brimmed hat to provide shade and keep the head cool.
    • Take special precaution with infants and young children by dressing them in loose, cool clothing and shading their heads and faces with hats or an umbrella. Protect their feet with shoes.

 

Cars and Heat

When temperatures reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit, even with a window partially open, the temperature inside a car can reach 138 degrees in five minutes and up to 150 degrees in 15 minutes. In these conditions, children can die very quickly - in a matter of minutes. Infants and small children are particularly vulnerable due to their body configurations. The younger the child, the faster the onset of heatstroke and dehydration.

    • 75 percent of the temperature rise occurs within five minutes of closing and leaving the car.
    • 90 percent of the temperature rise occurs within 15 minutes.
    • Dark colored cars reach slightly higher temperatures than light colored cars.
    • The greater the amount of glass in the car (hatchbacks, etc.) the faster the rise in temperature.
    • Larger cars heat up just as fast as smaller cars.
    • Having the windows down even one inch causes only a slight temperature drop.

 

Additional information

 

Media Contact:

Marcie Colpas 602-262-6164