SUMMER SAFETY - Heat Index and Heat Related Illness

Summertime and the Living is Easy (Not!)

Summertime is right around the corner Ain’t it great! We all like the summer but the summer season presents a unique set of safety concerns. One of the concerns is heat (imagine that!).

The U.S. National Weather Service Office of Public Affairs, in conjunction with the American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency has published the signs of heat related illness, how it can affect you, and what to do to relieve its symptoms. Here are some highlights from their report.

The Heat Index

The Heat Index measures the impact of humidity on the way people feel heat. The higher the humidity, the hotter it feels and the higher the heat index.

Signs of Heat Related Illness

• Sunburn - Redness and pain in the skin. In severe cases there is also swelling, blisters, fever, and headaches.
  
• Heat cramps - Heavy sweating and painful spasms usually in the leg or abdominal muscles.
  
• Heat exhaustion - Weakness, heavy sweating, clammy skin, paleness, and weak and slow pulse. Fainting and vomiting accompanies heat exhaustion.
  
• Heatstroke/sunstroke - High body temperature (106 degrees or higher) along with hot dry skin and a rapid and strong pulse. Unconsciousness is possible.

Heat Index Values and Their Effects

The consequences of overexposure to the summer heat can be especially dangerous for people at higher risk, especially the elderly and the very young. Here are some basic rules of thumb:

• 80 to 90 degree heat index value - Fatigue is possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity.
  
• 90 to 105 degree heat index value - Sunstroke, heat cramps, and heat exhaustion are possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity.
  
• 105 to 130 degree heat index value - Sunstroke, heat cramps, or heat exhaustion are likely, and heatstroke is possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity.
  
• 130 degree and higher heat index value - Heatstroke/sunstroke is highly likely with continued exposure.

What to do when Heat Waves Strike

• Increase your intake of non-alcoholic, non-carbonated, caffeine-free beverages such as water and juice.
  
• Wear clothing that is light in color and loose fitting.
  
• Avoid the outdoors during extreme heat; stay out of the sun.
  
• Stay in an air-conditioned environment if possible. Shopping malls offer relief if your home is not air-conditioned.
  
• Check on the elderly. They are especially susceptible to heat-related illnesses.
  Eliminate strenuous activity such as running, biking, and lawn care work when it heats up.

For more details that you can use in your agency’s own safety campaign, see http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/brochures/heatwave.pdf

Article submitted by Atlanta Federal Safety & Health Council.