How to stay healthy on hot days

Kitsap County Washington sent this bulletin at 06/20/2024 01:16 PM PDT

June 20, 2024

How to stay healthy on hot days

Heat-related illnesses and deaths happen every year in the United States, though they are preventable. Learn how to protect yourself from heat risks.

Right now, a heat wave is blanketing the United States from the Midwest to the Northeast. Many cities are experiencing record-breaking temperatures that pose dangerous health risks — especially to those who don't have a cool place to go.

Though the weather is not as hot here in the Pacific Northwest, our region is expected to experience above-average temperatures this summer.

Getting too hot can make you sick. Heat-related illnesses, like heat exhaustion or heat stroke, can happen to anyone and are most likely to affect:

Babies and children
Pregnant people
Older adults (65 and older) 
People who work or exercise outdoors
People with chronic health conditions
Households that do not have air conditioning

KNOW THE SIGNS

Warning signs of heat-related illnesses include:

Signs of heat exhaustion can include:

Heavy sweating
Cold, clammy skin
Fast, weak pulse
Nausea or vomiting
Muscle cramps
Tiredness/weakness
Dizziness
Headache
Loss of consciousness (passing out)

If you believe someone is experiencing heat exhaustion, you can help lower their body temperature. Move them to a cool place. Loosen their clothes and put cool, wet cloths on them or put them in a cold bath. Give them water to sip.

Signs of heat stroke can include:

High body temperature (103° or higher)
Hot, red skin
Fast, strong pulse
Headache
Dizziness or nausea
Confusion
Loss of consciousness (passing out)

Call 911 if you think someone has heat stroke. Heat stroke is a medical emergency.

While waiting for emergency services, work on lowering their body temperature with the methods listed for heat exhaustion but do not give them water to drink.

TIPS TO COOL OFF

To avoid heat-related illness, remember to follow these steps:

Stay in cool, indoor spaces as much as you can. If you are not able to stay cool in your home, go to a public space with air conditioning.
Drink plenty of water. Limit caffeine, alcohol, and sugary drinks.
Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Cool yourself with wet clothing. Use sunscreen.
Pace yourself when working or exercising outside. Try to plan activities in the mornings. Take breaks.
Take cool showers or baths, or visit a pool, lake or swimming beach. For current beach advisories, go to kitsappublichealth.org/beaches or call 360-728-2235.
Check on neighbors and loved ones. Visit or call at least twice a day and encourage them to follow these tips.

BE PREPARED

Watch the weather forecast. Check your favorite local news source or weather.gov.

Additionally, learn about cooling centers. Cooling centers may be open when the weather is extremely hot. Visit kitsapdem.com or call 211 for more information.

HEAT AND YOUR UTILITIES

New legislation passed last year protects your access to water and electricity during heat waves. Whenever the National Weather service issues a heat warning for the area where you live, your utilities cannot be disconnected due to nonpayment.

If your service has already been disconnected for nonpayment, you can request reconnection for the duration of the heat wave.

If your utility service has been disconnected:

Check to see if there is a National Weather Service Alert in your area by visiting NWS Alerts (weather.gov) and entering your zip code, or by calling (206) 526-6087.
If there is an active alert, contact your utility provider or landlord and request reconnection.

RESOURCES

CDC's Extreme Heat and Your Health
CDC's Pets and Extreme Heat
Ready.gov's Extreme Heat
Red Cross's Extreme Heat Safety
Washington State Department of Health's Extreme Heat
Washington State Department of Health's Hot Weather Precautions
Kitsap Public Health's Staying Cool and Healthy During Hot Weather

CONTACT:

Tad Sooter | Public Information Officer
Kitsap Public Health District
360-728-2330 - office | 360-728-2235 - main
pio@kitsappublichealth.org | kitsappublichealth.org

Contact us:

Email or call 360-728-2235

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