Are you ready for a Heatwave?
Information courtesy of:
American Red Cross
Federal Emergency Management Agency
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Reprinted by Permission of the American Red Cross (1997)
Here’s what you can do to prepare yourself and your
family for a Heatwave.
Know what these terms mean:
Heatwave: Prolonged period of excessive
heat and humidity. The National Weather Service steps up its
procedures to alert the public during these periods of excessive
heat and humidity.
Heat index: A number in degrees Fahrenheit that
tells how hot it really feels when relative humidity is added to the
actual air temperature. Exposure to full sunshine can increase the
heat index by 15 degrees F.
Heat cramps: Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms due to
heavy exertion. They usually involve the abdominal muscles or legs.
It is generally thought that the loss of water from heavy sweating
causes the cramps.
Heat exhaustion: Heat exhaustion typically
occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a warm humid place
where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Blood flow to
the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital
organs. This results in a form of mild shock. If not treated,
the victim’s condition will worsen. Body temperature will keep
rising and the victim may suffer heat stroke.
Heat stroke: Heat stroke is life-threatening.
The victim’s temperature control system, which produces sweating
to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise
so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not
cooled quickly.
Sunstroke: Another term for heat stroke.
If a Heatwave is predicted or happening:
Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If
you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of
the day, which is usually in the morning between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m.
Stay indoors as much as possible. If air
conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor, out of the
sunshine. Remember, electric fans do not cool the air, but they do
help sweat evaporate, which cools your body.
Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light
colors will reflect away some of the sun’s energy.
Drink plenty of water regularly and often. Your
body needs water to keep cool.
Drink plenty of fluids even if you do not feel
thirsty.
Water is the safest liquid to drink during heat
emergencies. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them. They
can make you feel good briefly, but make the heat’s effects on your
body worse. This is specially true about beer, which actually
dehydrates the body.
Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid foods
that are high in protein, which increase metabolic heat.
Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do
so by a physician.
Signals of Heat emergencies:
Heat exhaustion: Cool, moist, pale or flushed
skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness;
and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal.
Heat stroke: Hot, red skin; changes in
consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing.
Body temperature can be very high - sometimes as high as 105
degrees F. If the person was sweating from heavy work or exercise,
skin may be wet; otherwise it will feel dry.
Treatment of Heat emergencies:
Heat cramps: Get the person to a cooler
place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. Lightly
stretch the affected muscle and replenish fluids. Give a half
glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not give liquids with
alcohol or caffeine in them, as they can make conditions worse.
Heat exhaustion: Get the person out of the heat
and into a cooler place. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply
cool, wet clothes, such as towels or sheets. If the person is
conscious, give cool water to drink. Make sure the person drinks
slowly. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not give
liquids that contain alcohol or caffeine. Let the victim rest
in a comfortable position, and watch carefully for changes in his
or her condition.
Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation. Help
is needed fast. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number.
Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body.
Immerse victim in a cool bath, or wrap wet sheets around the
body and fan it. Watch for signals of breathing problems.
Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body any way
you can. If the victim refuses water, is vomiting, or there are
changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat
or drink.
Heat can affect anyone. However, it is more likely to affect young
children, elderly people, and people with health problems.
For instance, people with a medical condition that causes poor
blood circulation, and those who take medications to get rid
of water from the body (diuretics) or for certain skin conditions
may be more susceptible. Consult with a physician if you have
any questions about how your medication may affect your ability
to tolerate heat.
Be prepared for heat emergencies by having various members of the
family do the activities on the checklist below. Then get together
to discuss and finalize your Family Disaster Plan.
Discuss what each member of the family would do during a heatwave.
Where are the safest and coolest places to be: at home?...at work?...
at school?...and other places where you may go?
Coolest place at home:__________________________________
If your home does not have air conditioning, choose other places
you can go to get relief from the heat during the warmest part of
the day.
Cool places to go to avoid heat:__________________________
Plan changes in your daily activities that would be needed to
avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day.
Changes to daily activities:______________________________
Plan to wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
Clothing choices:______________________________________
Some family members may be taking medications or have medical
conditions that may cause poor blood circulation or reduced
ability to tolerate heat. Discuss these concerns with a physician.
Physician’s special recommendations:______________________
Take an American Red Cross first aid course to learn how to treat
heat emergencies and other emergencies.
Household member(s) trained in first aid:__________________
Certifications good through:_____________________________
And remember...when a heat wave, thunderstorm, tornado, earthquake,
flood, fire, or other emergency happens in your community, you
can count on your local American Red Cross chapter to help you
and your family. That’s been our role for more than 100 years.
NOAA PA94052
ARC5032
May 1994
