8928 8 Arc Lot5032.1b
ave
Heat W
Are You Ready for a Heat Wave?
Here’s what you can do to prepare yourself and your family
Know what these terms mean
Stay indoors as much as possible.
Treatment of heat emergencies
Heat wave: Prolonged period of
If air conditioning is not available,
Heat cramps: Get the person to
excessive heat and humidity. The
stay on the lowest floor, out of the
a cooler place and have him or
National Weather Service steps up
sunshine. Try to go to a public
her rest in a comfortable position.
its procedures to alert the public
building with air conditioning
Lightly stretch the affected muscle
during these periods of excessive
each day for several hours.
and replenish fluids. Give a half
heat and humidity.
Remember, electric fans do not
glass of cool water every 15 minutes.
cool the air, but they do help
Do not give liquids with alcohol or
Heat index: A number in degrees
sweat evaporate, which cools
caffeine in them, as they can make
Fahrenheit (F) that tells how
your body.
conditions worse.
hot it really feels when relative
humidity is added to the actual
Wear lightweight, light-colored
Heat exhaustion: Get the person
air temperature. Exposure to full
clothing. Light colors will reflect
out of the heat and into a cooler
sunshine can increase the heat
away some of the sun’s energy.
place. Remove or loosen tight cloth-
index by 15° F.
Drink plenty of water regularly
ing and apply cool, wet cloths, such
as towels or sheets. If the person
Heat cramps: Heat cramps are
and often. Your body needs water
is conscious, give cool water to
muscular pains and spasms due
to keep cool.
drink. Make sure the person drinks
to heavy exertion. Although heat
Drink plenty of fluids even if you
slowly. Give a half glass of cool
cramps are the least severe, they
do not feel thirsty.
water every 15 minutes. Do not
are an early signal that the body
Water is the safest liquid to drink
give liquids that contain alcohol
is having trouble with the heat.
during heat emergencies. Avoid
or caffeine. Let the victim rest in
Heat exhaustion: Heat exhaustion
drinks with alcohol or caffeine in
a comfortable position, and watch
typically occurs when people exer-
them. They can make you feel
carefully for changes in his or
cise heavily or work in a hot, humid
good briefly, but make the heat’s
her condition.
place where body fluids are lost
effects on your body worse. This
Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a
through heavy sweating. Blood flow
is especially true about beer,
life-threatening situation. Help
to the skin increases, causing blood
which dehydrates the body.
is needed fast. Call 9-1-1 or your
flow to decrease to the vital organs.
Eat small meals and eat more
local emergency number. Move the
This results in a form of mild shock.
often. Avoid foods that are
person to a cooler place. Quickly
If not treated, the victim may suf-
high in protein, which increase
cool the body. Immerse victim in
fer heat stroke.
metabolic heat.
a cool bath, or wrap wet sheets
Heat stroke: Heat stroke is
around the body and fan it. Watch
Avoid using salt tablets unless
life-threatening. The victim’s
for signals of breathing problems.
directed to do so by a physician.
temperature control system, which
Keep the person lying down and
produces sweating to cool the body,
Signals of heat emergencies
continue to cool the body any way
stops working. The body tempera-
you can. If the victim refuses water
ture can rise so high that brain
Heat exhaustion: Cool, moist, pale,
or is vomiting or there are changes
damage and death may result if
or flushed skin; heavy sweating;
in the level of consciousness, do
the body is not cooled quickly.
headache; nausea or vomiting;
not give anything to eat or drink.
dizziness; and exhaustion. Body
Sunstroke: Another term for
temperature will be near normal.
heat stroke.
Your local contact is:
Heat stroke: Hot, red skin;
If a heat wave is predicted or
changes in consciousness; rapid,
weak pulse; and rapid, shallow
happening—
breathing. Body temperature can
Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity.
be very high—as high as 105° F.
If you must do strenuous activity,
If the person was sweating from
do it during the coolest part of the
heavy work or exercise, skin may
day, which is usually in the morning
be wet; otherwise, it will feel dry.
between 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Stock Number NOAA PA 94052
or
ARC 5032
Rev. Aug. 1998
Are You Ready for
a Heat Wave?
Heat can affect anyone. However, it is more likely to affect young children, elderly people, and people with health prob-
lems. 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 heat wave. Where are the safest
and coolest places to be at home? . . . at work? . . . at school? . . . and in other places where you
may go?
Coolest place at home: __________________________________________________________________________
____ If your home does not have air conditioning, choose other places you 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 physi-
cian.
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: _____________________________________________________________________
(date)
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 be there to help you and your family. Your
Red Cross is not a government agency and depends on contributions of your time, money, and blood.
For more information, contact your local Red Cross chapter, National Weather Service office, or emergency management
agency. You can also visit these Web sites:
American Red Cross: www.redcross.org
National Weather Service: www.nws.noaa.gov
Federal Emergency Management Agency: www.fema.gov
