HEAT- A MAJOR KILLER

HEAT: A MAJOR KILLER
Heat Index Information
Heat Hazards
Heat Safety
Effects of Excessive Heat
Heat is the number one weather-related killer in the United States. NOAA National Weather Service statistical data shows that heat causes more fatalities per year than floods, lightening, tornadoes, and hurricanes combined. Based on the 10-year average from 1994 to 2003, excessive heat claimed 237 lives each year. By contrast, floods killed 84; tornadoes, 58; lightning, 63; and hurricanes, 18.
In the disastrous heat wave of 1980, more than 1.250 people died. In the heat wave of 1995 more than 700 deaths in the Chicago, Illinois area were attributed to this event, and in August 2003, a record heat wave in Europe claimed an estimated 50,000 lives.
North American summers are hot; most summers see heat waves in one section or another of the United States. East of the Rockies, they tend to combine both high temperature and high humidity although some of the worst have been catastrophically dry. Additional detail on how heat impacts the human body is provided under “The Hazards of Excessive Heat” heading.
NOAA’S WATCH, WARNING, AND ADVISORY PRODUCTS FOR EXTREME HEAT
Each National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Forecast Office (WFO) can issue the following heat-related products as conditions warrant:
Excessive Heat Outlook: When the potential exists for an excessive heat event in the next 3 to 7 days. An outlook is used to indicate that a heat event may develop. It is intended to provide information to those who need considerable lead time to prepare for the event, such as public utilities, emergency management and public health officials.
Excessive Heat Watch: when conditions are favorable for an excessive heat event in the next 12 to 48 hours. A watch is used when the risk of a heat wave has increased, but its occurrence and timing is still uncertain. It is intended to provide enough lead so those who need to set their plans in motion can do so, such as established individual city excessive heat mitigation plans.
Excessive Heat Warning/Advisory: when an excessive heat event is expected in the next 36 hours. These products are issued when an excessive heat event is occurring, is imminent, or has a very high probability of occurrence. The warning is used for conditions posing a threat to life or property. An advisory is for less serious conditions that causes significant discomfort or inconvenience and, if caution is not taken, could lead to a threat to life and/or property.
THE HAZARDS OF EXCESSIVE HEAT
Too Much Heat
Heat disorders generally have to do with a reduction or collapse of the body’s ability to shed heat by circulatory changes and sweating, or a chemical (salt) imbalance caused by too much sweating. When heat gain exceeds the level the body can remove, or when the body cannot compensate for fluids and salt lost through perspiration, the temperature of the body’s inner core begins to rise and heat-related illness may develop.
Ranging in severity, heat disorders share one common feature: the individual has overexposed or over exercised for his age and physical condition in the existing thermal environment.
Sunburn, with its ultraviolet radiation burns, can significantly retard the skin’s ability to shed excess heat. Studies indicated that, other things being equal, the severity of heat disorders tend to increase with age-heat cramps in a 17-year old may be heat exhaustion in someone 40, and heat stroke in a person over 60.
Acclimatization has to do with adjusting sweat-salt concentrations, among other things. The idea is to lose enough water to regulate body temperature, with the least possible chemical disturbance.
Children, Adults, and Pets Enclosed in Parked Vehicles Are at Great Risk
Each year children die from hyperthermia as a result of being left enclosed in parked vehicles.
Hyperthermia is an acute condition that occurs when the body absorbs more heat than it can dissipate. This can occur even on a mild day. Studies have shown that the temperature inside a parked vehicle can rise rapidly to a dangerous level for children, adults, and pets. Leaving the windows slightly open does not significantly decrease the heating rate. The effects can be more severe on children because their bodies warm at a faster rate than adults.
Hyperthermia deaths aren’t confined to the summer months only. They also happen during the spring and fall. Below are some examples:
Hawaii, March 07, 2007: A 3 year old girl from Honolulu died. The child’s father told police that he left her in a child seat in the back seat of the car for an hour and a half Saturday late morning while he visited friends in a Makiki apartment building. The outside temperature was only 81 degrees.
North Augusta, SC; April 2006: A mother left her 15 month old son in a car. He was in a car for 9 hours while his mom went to work. She is now serving a 20 year prison sentence.
Denver August 2008: Two kids that died in an overheated car may have been on their own for more than 3 hours as their mother slept after working a night shift. The kids died in a closed but unlocked car, Investigators believe the temperature where the children were found may have reached 123 degrees.
Adults are also susceptible to hyperthermia. On July 12, 1002 a man died of heatstroke after falling asleep in his car with the windows rolled up in the parking lot of a supermarket in Hinds County, Mississippi.
HEAT SAFETY
Child Safety Tips
Check to make sure seating surfaces and equipment (child safety seat and safety belt buckles) aren’t too hot when securing your child in a safety restraint system in a car that has been parked in the heat.
Never leave your child unattended in a vehicle, even with the windows down.
Teach children not to play in, on, or around cars.
Always lock car doors and trunks—even at home—and keep keys out of children’s reach.
Always make sure all child passengers have left the car when you reach your destination. Don’t overlook sleeping infants.
Adults Heave Wave Safety Tips
Slow down. Strenuous activities should be reduced, eliminated, or rescheduled to the coolest time of the day. Individuals at risk should stay in the coolest available place, not necessarily indoors.
Dress for summer. Lightweight light-colored clothing reflects heat and sunlight, and helps your body maintain normal temperatures.
Put les fuel on your inner fires. Foods (like proteins) that increase metabolic heat production also increase water loss.
Drink plenty of water or other non-alchohol fluids. Your body needs water to keep cool. Drink plenty of fluids even if you don’t feel thirsty. Persons who (1) have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or problem with fluid retention should consult a physician before increasing their consumption of fluids. Do not drink alcoholic beverages.
Spend more time in air-conditioned places. Air conditioning in homes and other buildings markedly reduces danger from the heat. If you cannot afford an air conditioner, spending some time each day (during hot weather) in an air conditioned environment affords some protection.
Don’t get too much sun. Sunburn makes the job of heat dissipation that much more difficult
Do not take salt tablets unless specified by a physician.
Know These Heat Disorder Symptoms
SUNBURN: Redness and pain. In severe cases swelling of skin, blisters, fever, headaches. First Aid: Ointments for mild cases if blisters appear and do not break. If breaking occurs, apply dry sterile dressing. Serious, extensive cases should be seen by physician.
HEAT CRAMPS: Painful spasms usually in muscles of legs and abdomen possible. Heavy sweating. First Aid: Firm pressure on cramping muscles, or gentle massage to relieve spasm. Give sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue use.
HEAT EXHAUSTION: Heavy sweating, weakness, skin cold, pale and clammy. Pulse thready. Normal temperature possible. Fainting and vomiting. First Aid: Get victim out of sun. Lay down and loosen clothing. Apply cool, wet cloths. Fan or move victim to air conditioned room. Sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue use. If vomiting continues, seek immediate medical attention.
HEAT STROKE (or sunstroke): High body temperature ( l06 F or higher): Hot dry skin. Rapid and strong pulse. Possible unconsciousness. First Aid: HEAT STROKE IS A SEVERE MEDICAL EMERGENCY. SUMMON EMERGENCY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE OR GET THE VICTIM TO A HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY. DELAY CAN BE FATAL. Move the victim to a cooler environment. Reduce body temperature with cold bath or sponging. Use extreme caution. Remove clothing, use fans and air conditioners. If temperature rises again, repeat process. Do not give fluids. Persons on salt restrictive diets should consult a physician before increasing their salt intake.
*For more information contact your local American Red Cross Chapter. Ask to enroll in a first aid course.
COMMUNITY GUIDANCE: Preparing for and Responding to Excessive Heat Events
The “Excessive Heat Events Guidebook” was developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2006, in collaboration with NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This guidebook provides best practices that have been employed to save lives during heat waves in different urban areas, and provides a menu of options that communities can use in developing their own mitigation plans.
Produced as a cooperative effort of NOAA’s National Weather Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the American Red Cross.
http://www.weather.gov/om/heat/index.shtml

WHAT TO DO WHEN HEAT WAVES STRIKE

WHAT TO DO WHEN HEAT WAVE STRIKES
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.
Eat Less Foods That Increase Metabolic Activity/Heat. Proteins are an Example. Increased Metabolic Heat Increases Water Loss.
HEAT RELATED ILLNESSES AND THEIR SYMPTOMS
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 abdomen muscles.
HEAT EXHAUSTION-The person becomes weak and is sweating heavily. The skin is cold, pale and clammy. The pulse becomes thready. 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.

ONE SISTER IS UP TO HER SANDBOX ANTICS

ONE SISTER IS UP TO HER SANDBOX ANTICS

One sunny day in the month of May, Sissy decided she wanted to spend her time as green as a lime, one morning, in the sandbox with no sand just mud. She sat in the sandbox with no sand in the backyard, alone with her blue toy phone. The last thing on her mind didn’t make her; feel like she wanted to sing her heart out. She didn’t want her older sister to do anything but smolder away, because she didn’t want her sister on her list to play, there, in the sandbox without any sand with her. Like a pig, she didn’t dig her sister, being in the sandbox without sand, any morning. Otherwise Sissy might fight over who got the sandbox without sand, first. She wanted to play and stay inside it, by herself. Otherwise, she might have a fit over whose sandbox without sand, it belonged to.

So, she leaned over the sandbox so clean, after she looked beside her for the coming tide. She hadn’t wanted any croissant from her older sister, who, once, gave her, a blister. Since, she didn’t see her older sister around, anywhere, as she peeked over her shoulder. She was free as a bird to do what she wanted to do, without her older sister around to make a sound. Or to tell her what to do, or put her under her spell.

Sissy with a nickname of Missy picked up her red shovel as she wore her treads. And she made her way back to the sandbox without sand from the garden. As she reached the sandbox without sand again like a peach, she bent over a four leaf clover. And she felt the cold sand as cold as snow. So, Sissy picked up her red shovel, and made her way back to the sand. Which sand had turned and turned into all this mud and crud underneath her butt. But she, almost, jumped and jumped out of the sandbox as she felt all this cold, so boldly, go through her red sun suit, so red in the bright sun.

She was about to run under the sun out of the sandbox without sand. And just call on her toy phone, alone, for that morning, and mourn about the whole thing in a jig. But she loved and loved being in the bright sun in her red sun suit. This bright sunny day in every way seemed to warm her up like a puppy, cuddled up near its mom to the point, she forgot just how cold, ice cold her butt, felt as she hopped into and plopped herself into all this mud.

As she held her shovel in a huddle, with all her might, with the sun out of sight, she dug as smug as a rug, these holes in all that mud. After each hole in a roll was like she wished and wished each one to be, she set the red, so red shovel down outside the sandbox without sand. Since, the cruddy mud felt so cool, so cool to her. She was ready to take on the coolness of the cruddy mud. Since, all this mud appeared so smeary and inviting to her, she plopped her little butt down in a hop into all that mud. Then, she grabbed a hold of the old red shovel, again, and again. She started to mold and mold these big bunches of mud like a pig into her hands in a sandbox without sand as she dropped with a big plop, the red shovel into all that cruddy mud beside her.

Not much later as such, she had most of the cruddy mud, molded into all these small and big bunches of cruddy mud. Which cruddy mud, she thought, looked like crooked cakes, so good to eat like meat? She was to stuff a bunch of cruddy mud into her red sun suit in the bright sun of the day. But she changed her mind in time as she happened to see in a peek, her older sister, Kathy, walk and walk towards the sandbox without sand.

Sissy, that is Missy, could sense like sixpence that Kathy started with a spark to head as heavy as lead towards the sandbox without sand. As Sissy, that’s Missy, watched and watched her get this big smirk on her face with a jig, she knew that her older sister and bolder sister was up to no good.

Sissy, that is Missy, walked and walked out of the sandbox without sand, and stuck up her fists like a bump in the mud up at her sister. Her sister didn’t jig, her sister, Sissy, that is Missy, doing this to her with her fists. So, she pushed and pushed Kathy down and down into the grass like a lass.

As Kathy landed on the grass like a lass with a big boom with a zoom, Sissy laughed and laughed even more at her. But Sissy, that is Missy, didn’t dig with a jig, her sister’s laugh in wrath. So, she pushed and pushed ever harder until she had her down and laughed like a clown with her on the grass like a lass. Kathy became so mad not glad. She developed a big smirk on her face with a jig. She wasn’t about to take any full of bully stuff from her sister.

So, Kathy took off with a scoff right inside towards the sandbox without sand. Sissy followed her and followed her until she reached the sandbox without sand like a peach. She pushed and pushed Kathy inside the sandbox without sand. Sissy laughed and laughed harder at her as Kathy screamed with a gleam in her eye.

Her older sister had something up the sleeve in a bed of leaves. She waited and waited even longer as her sister plopped without a hop into the sandbox without sand. Kathy reached like a peach inside in a slide, and grabbed and grabbed more cruddy mud into her hands in a sandbox without sand. She molded and molded some more of what she thought as being cruddy mud cakes.

She knew that Sissy, that is Missy, was hungry enough to huff and puff for some cruddy mud cakes to eat. She had this silly and frilly look on her face like she was ready to eat and really eat anything. Which appeared right in sight before her crying eyes to her surprise? Kathy stuff in a huff and a huff the cruddy mud cakes into her sister’s mouth.

She had this pout about on her face, because the cruddy mud cakes didn’t taste too good. She seemed dumb and dumber to eat more of these cruddy mud cakes. So, her sister and again shoved more cruddy mud cakes into her mouth with her like a grouch.

As their mom, ran and ran out of the house, as she reached like a peach, the sandbox without sand, Sissy said to her, “Mom, Kathy made me, eat these cruddy mud cakes?”

She answered Sissy, that is Missy, “Did you force Sissy to eat cruddy mud cakes today?”

“Yes, I did, mom. But she talked and talked me, again, into it. She made me, feed her these cruddy mud cakes, because she said she was hungry as a bug for them. So, she wanted and wanted more of these cruddy mud cakes from me.

Both sisters were lucky as a four leaf clover that their mom didn’t try to punish either one of them, today after they both played all morning in the sandbox without sand. So, both sisters were just made after they played, so have their mouths, cleaned out in gleam with toothpaste. Which toothpaste, that came from a tooth fairy to them. But then, both sisters had to kneel and kneel for a half hour in a corner just like Jack Horner for what both of them were guilty of doing and screwing around and around with mud, that morning.