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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

Warm Weather Health Advisory


Summer is here with a blast of hot air!  Normally, extreme heat health advisories do not occur this early in summer.  Rochester’s temperatures are close to record highs for this time of year.  New York City and the counties of Wayne, Ontario, and Yates were issued a “Heat Advisory Warning” on Wednesday June 20th.  The heat wave is expected to continue into Thursday night, and this is just the beginning of summer! 

The best defense for heat related health concerns is prevention.  Here are some prevention tips:

·         Drink more fluids (nonalcoholic).  Don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink.  Avoid liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar as these cause you to lose more body fluid.

- Stay indoors in air-conditioning if possible, or go to shopping mall, library, MCC, where there is air conditioning.

- Take a cool bath or shower.

- Wear lightweight, light colored, loose fitting clothing.

- NEVER leave anyone or any animal in a closed parked vehicle.

- Check on family, neighbors, and friends that may be at higher risk for heat related illness due to their age (elderly and infants), physical condition, or ability. 

If they have these symptoms:  heavy sweating, weakness, cold, pale and clammy skin, fast weak pulse, nausea, feeling faint -- Move the person to a cooler location, lie down and loosen clothing, apply cool, wet cloths to as much of the body as possible, sip water.   

If they have a high body temperature (above 103 degrees F), hot red, dry or moist skin, rapid and strong pulse, vomiting, possible unconsciousness -- Call 911 immediately – this is a medical emergency.  Move the person to a cooler place. Reduce the person’s body temperature with cool, wet cloths.  Do NOT give fluids.  

For more information on prevention of heat related illness:
www.cdc.gov/nceh/extremeheat/warning.html, or visit Health Services.  Have a safe summer and enjoy the summer heat!

Sue George, RN
Health Services
06/21/2012