Published on July 18, 2019

Safety Tips For This Weekend Heat Watch

This coming weekend weather officials have issued an excessive heat warning, which is in effect from noon Friday to 8 PM EDT Sunday. Heat waves, and even exposure to high temperatures for a short time, can be very dangerous. 

Below are some tips to help you identify the signs of dehydration, heatstroke, and heat exhaustion, which can be life-threatening.

We would like to remind everyone to dial 911 at the first sign of a medical emergency.  In addition, it is advisable to check on family, friends and neighbors, especially if they are senior citizens.

Signs & 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

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 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

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 3 hours; sunken abdomen, eyes or cheeks; high fever; listlessness; irritability; skin that does not flatten when pinched and released.

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

PSEG, which is already operating at nearly its limit, needs our help with balancing the load on the grid. To prevent power outages, we need to do our part by raising AC thermostat by just 1 degree, powering down any unused electronics and doing laundry and dishwashing after 10 PM. “These changes may seem small but will make a big difference” said Mayor Weinstock.

Below are some low or no cost energy measure you should follow this weekend.

https://cedarhurstmain.wpengine.com/immediate-cuts-power-usage-heat-wave-continues/