Summer Heat Safety Advisories

In recent years, excessive heat has caused more deaths than all other weather events, including floods, according to the American County Red Cross. A heat wave is a prolonged period of excessive heat, often combined with excessive humidity. Generally, temperatures are 10 degrees or more above the average high temperature for the region during summer months, last for a long period of time and occur with high humidity as well.

The American Red Cross explains the difference between an excessive heat watch, an excessive heat warning and a heat advisory:

Excessive Heat Watch—Conditions are favorable for an excessive heat event to meet or exceed local excessive heat warning criteria in the next 24 to 72 hours.

Excessive Heat Warning—Heat Index values are forecast to meet or exceed locally defined warning criteria for at least 2 days (daytime highs=105-110° Fahrenheit).

Heat Advisory—Heat Index values are forecast to meet locally defined advisory criteria for 1 to 2 days (daytime highs=100-105° Fahrenheit).

While faced with high temperatures, it is important to take health precautions. The Nassau County Security/Police Informational Network issues the following summer heat safety advisories:

Signs and Symptoms

Heat Exhaustion

• Severe thirst
• Fatigue
• Muscle cramps
• Aches
• Muscle weakness
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Fast, shallow breathing
• Irritability
• Headache
• Increased sweating
• Cool, clammy skin
• Elevation of body temperature to 105 degrees Fahrenheit or higher

Heat Stroke

• Severe throbbing headache
• Dizziness
• Disorientation, agitation or confusion
• Sluggishness or fatigue
• Seizure
• Hot, dry skin that is flushed but not sweaty
• A high body temperature
• Loss of consciousness
• Rapid heart beat
• Hallucinations

Dehydration

• Thirst
• Less-frequent urination
• Dry skin
• Fatigue
• Light-headedness
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Dry mouth and mucous membranes
• Increased heart rate and breathing

In children, additional symptoms may include: dry mouth and tongue; no tears when crying; no wet diapers for more than three hours; sunken abdomen, eyes or cheeks; high fever; listlessness; irritability; skin that does not flatten when pinched and released.

How Heatstroke Can Be Prevented

• Drink plenty of fluids during outdoor activities, water and sports drinks are preferred; tea, coffee, soda and alcohol should be avoided
• Wear lightweight, tightly woven, loose-fitting clothing in light colors
• Schedule vigorous activity and sports for cooler times of the day
• Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a hat, sunglasses and using an umbrella
• Increase time spent outdoors gradually get your body used to the heat
• During outdoor activities, take frequent drink breaks and mist yourself with a spray bottle to avoid becoming overheated
• Try to spend as much time indoors as possible on very hot humid days

How Dehydration Can Be Prevented

• Drink plenty of fluids, especially when working or playing in the sun
• Make sure you are taking in more fluid than you are losing
• Drink appropriate sports drinks to help maintain electrolyte balance
• Infants and children should be given Pedialyte to maintain their electrolyte balance

How to Treat Heatstroke and Heat Exhaustion

• Bring the person indoors, or into the shade immediately
• Remove their clothing, and gently apply cool water to the skin followed by fanning to stimulate sweating
• Apply ice packs to the groin and armpits
• Have the person lie down in a cool area with their feet slightly elevated