(MADISON) – Heat can kill. That’s why Wisconsin Emergency Management,
the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the National Weather Service
are reminding people of the dangers associated with extreme heat and to promote
community safety and health.
In
2013, Wisconsin had 11 confirmed heat related deaths. Many of those victims
were socially isolated maintaining little contact with family and friends. This
is why it is vitally important to check in on family, friends, and neighbors
during extreme heat, especially those who are particularly vulnerable, like
families with very young children, the elderly, and people who are on
medications that could make them more susceptible to injury from extreme heat. In 2012, Wisconsin had confirmed 24 heat related deaths, most occurred during five days of Excessive Heat Warnings from July 2-6. The heat index rose to 105 F degrees for 48 hours with night time lows of 75 F. It was the second hottest and third longest heat wave in Wisconsin. None of the victims had air conditioning and they did not seek shelter at one of the many cooling centers which opened around the state.
In 2011, excessive heat claimed five lives and injured more than 100 people in Wisconsin during the July 17-21 heat wave. Once again none of those victims had air conditioning. The combination of the warm temperatures and high humidity caused the heat index to rise between 100 F and 117 F degrees.
In 1995, two major killer heat waves affected most of Wisconsin resulting in 154 heat-related deaths and over 300 heat-related illnesses.
Summer heat waves have been the biggest weather-related killers in Wisconsin for the past 50 years, far exceeding tornadoes, severe storms and floods combined. Heat is the number one weather-related killer in the United States. People at higher risk of a heat-related illness include:
§
Older
adults
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Infants
and young children
§
People
with chronic heart or lung problems
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People
with disabilities
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Overweight
persons
§
Those
who work outdoors or in hot settings
§
Users
of some medications, especially those taken for mental disorders, movement
disorder, allergies, depression, and heart or circulatory problems
§
People
who are socially isolated and don’t know when or how to cool off – or when to
call for help
Tips to keep safe in hot weather:
1. Never leave children, disabled persons, or
pets in a parked car – even briefly.
Temperatures in a car can become life threatening within minutes. On an
80-degree day with sunshine, the temperature inside a car even with the windows
cracked slightly can rise 20 to 30 degrees above the outside temperature in 10
to 20 minutes. There have been cases where the inside temperature rose 40
degrees! Additional information at:
2. Keep your living space cool. If you have an air conditioner, use it. Cover
windows to keep the sun from shining in.
If you don’t have an air conditioner you should consider going to a
community cooling center. If you stay at home, open windows to let air
circulate. At extreme high temperatures, a fan loses its ability to effectively
reduce heat-related illness. When it’s hotter than 95 degrees use fans to blow
hot air out of the window rather than to blow hot air on your body.
3. Slow down and limit physical activity. Plan outings or exertion for the early
morning or after dark when temperatures are cooler.
4. Drink plenty of water and eat lightly. Don’t wait for thirst, but instead drink
plenty of water throughout the day.
Avoid alcohol or caffeine and stay away from hot, heavy meals.
5. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting,
light-colored clothing. Add a hat or
umbrella to keep your head cool…and don’t forget sunscreen!
6. Don’t stop taking medication unless your
doctor says you should. Take extra
care to stay cool and ask your doctor or pharmacist for any special heat
advice.
7. Taking a cool shower or bath will cool you
down. A shower or bath will actually
work faster than an air conditioner.
Applying cold wet rags to the neck, head and limbs also cools down the
body quickly.
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