Stay cool, drink water, stay informed, check on family and neighbors
Hot weather is expected this week in Western New York starting Monday, June 17. The risks for heat-related illness this week are very real, especially since overnight temperatures will not provide much relief.
What is extreme heat? Extreme heat is a period of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees for at least two to three days. In extreme heat your body works extra hard to maintain a normal temperature, which can lead to heat-related illness or death. Extreme heat is responsible for the highest number of annual deaths among all weather-related hazards. Humidity – moisture in the air – increases the feeling of heat.
If you leave your home and head outdoors this week, keep the basics with you: a hat that shades your face and ears; a water bottle; sunscreen; and sunglasses. Consider taking an umbrella or other way to shade your body.
If you must be outside, limit strenuous activities and exercise, find shade, drink plenty of water, and take frequent breaks. Limit outdoor activities to the early morning hours or in the evening, when the temperatures tend to be lower.
Plan to check on family members, older adults and neighbors, especially people with very young children, people with disabilities or serious/chronic medical conditions, and outdoor workers. They are most vulnerable to heat-related illnesses, but in this type of hot and humid weather, every person should take steps to stay cool, stay hydrated and stay informed. If air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest level of your home or consider going to a basement. Keep window shades or blinds closed. Go to an indoor space with air conditioning if possible. Many locations are listed at erie.gov/staycool.
Most heat related deaths occur when people are indoors in locations without air conditioning. Monitor yourself and those around you for symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Someone with heat exhaustion may feel dizzy, weak, irritable, muscle cramps and nausea – like they could vomit. Heat exhaustion symptoms may be managed by getting the person to a cool area, applying cool washcloths to skin and encouraging small sips of cool water. Heat exhaustion is more likely for older adults, people with high blood pressure and people working outdoors or in a hot environment.
Heat exhaustion can turn into heat stroke, which is a medical emergency. Heat stroke symptoms may include confusion/slurred speech, loss of consciousness, hot, dry skin OR extreme sweating or seizures. If heat stroke is suspected, call 9-1-1 immediately. Move the person to a cool area and use cold water and ice to cool the person quickly. Heat stroke can cause permanent disability or death if the person does not receive emergency treatment.
Certain medications can affect your body’s ability to regulate temperature or to sweat. These can include some prescription medications, antidepressant or antipsychotic medications, diuretics, stimulants like cocaine or methamphetamine, and opioids. (Especially in early recovery from alcohol and drug addiction, people may have difficulty regulating their body temperature.) **If you have questions about specific medications, check with your doctor or pharmacist.**
Prevent hot car deaths: stop, look then lock your vehicle. Always check the back seat for children and pets before leaving and locking your vehicle. Never leave people or pets in a vehicle, even for a few minutes. A vehicle’s interior temperature can exceed 120°F in just a few minutes, even if the windows are cracked and the vehicle is parked in the shade. One trick to remember to check the back seat is to leave an essential item, such as a phone or purse, in the back seat that in needed for when you arrive at your destination.
Make sure you are thinking about your pets and livestock, and that they will have access to fresh water and shade.
Drink at least 2-4 glasses of water per hour during extreme heat, even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid beverages containing alcohol or caffeine.
Infants less than 6 months of age should not be given water. On hot days, they can be breastfed more often, or given additional breast milk or formula in a bottle.
Take a cool shower or bath using tepid (mildly warm) water. Sudden temperature changes may make you feel dizzy or sick.
The ECDOH Office of Health Equity produced a comprehensive newsletter with ways to stay cool in extreme heat. This is available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Bengali, Burmese and Swahili.
- WEAR light-colored, loose clothing. Cotton and linen are best.
- FIND shade where you can. Bring a hat or umbrella.
- STAY in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible. Look for cooling centers in your area.
- AVOID using your oven or stove to cook.
- EAT hydrating foods like melon and cucumber.
- TAKE cool showers or baths.
- TAKE breaks when working or playing outside.
- AVOID or limit intense physical activity.
- CHECK on your loved ones, neighbors and anyone who lives alone.
- KNOW the early signs of heat illness.
- DO NOT WAIT for a heat cramp to start cooling down. Stay cool from the beginning.
Other resources
- Erie County Extreme Heat: https://www3.erie.gov/health/extreme-heat
- Ready.gov, Heat: www.ready.gov/heat
- National Weather Service, Heat Safety: https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat
- CDC, Extreme Heat and Your Health: https://www.cdc.gov/extreme-heat/about/index.html
###
