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Tips, Links For Heat Safety
(CBS 42) Tips for beating the heat from the American Red Cross
• Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles. Temperatures can reach more than 140 degrees in just minutes.
• Air conditioning provides the safest escape from extreme heat; ensure that your air conditioning unit is properly installed and cleaned.
• Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning or who spend time alone.
• Wear loose fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Drink plenty of water and other fluids, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
• Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them.
• Slow down and avoid strenuous activity.
• Take frequent breaks if you must work outdoors and use a buddy system when working in extreme heat.
The Red Cross also offers tips on how to recognize heat-related illness symptoms.
• Heat cramps – muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion. They are usually the first sign that the body is having a hard time coping with the heat. Retire to a cool area, rest, stretch and drink a half a glass of water every 15 minutes.
• Heat exhaustion – cool, moist, pale or flushed skin with heavy sweating, headache, nausea or vomiting, dizziness and exhaustion. The body temperature may be rising. Get to a cool place, loosen clothing, apply wet clothes, drink slowly. Watch carefully for changes.
• Heat stroke – hot red skin, changes in consciousness, rapid, weak pulse and rapid, shallow breathing. The body temperature can be very high, sometimes 105 degrees. Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition and emergency personnel should be called immediately.
The Red Cross says the best way to stay safe during emergencies is to be trained in an American Red Cross first aid and CPR class. These classes give you the knowledge to be able to respond immediately and effectively in an emergency. To enroll in a Red Cross first aid and CPR class, contact your local American Red Cross chapter at (512) 929-1294 or look online at centex.redcross.org.