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Beating the Heat
The topic of conversation everywhere seemed to be the weather and how hot it is. Gasps could be heard when an outside door was opened and on the flip side, sighs of relief when someone entered into a cool building. When an official heat advisory is issued by the National Weather Service it means the area will have a continued period of hot temperatures and that dangerously high heat index is expected. The combination of the hot temperatures and high humidity will create a situation in which heat stress illnesses are possible.
Doug Kirk, an employee of Frasier Osley, the company working on the old high school building, said, "We're not keeping cool, but we drink lots of water and have a big water cooler full of Gatorade." Senior citizens at the Thomasville Senior Citizens Nutrition Center on Adams Avenue begin arriving everyday around 9:30 a.m. Site manager Nancy Odom said between 35 and 45 senior citizens come to the center every weekday to beat the heat, play cards, dominoes and have fellowship. "We got a call this week from my supervisor saying they are sending bottles of water one day this week for the participants to take home," Odom said. Thomasville Elementary School Principal Adam Sealy is not letting the students out in the heat at all at this time. He has implemented what he calls a 50/90 policy.
FEMA recommendations FEMA recommends to begin preparing for extreme heat ahead of time in the following ways. Even though the extreme heat has already arrived in Clarke County, these measures can also help now. - Install window air conditioners snugly; insult if necessary. - Check air conditioning ducts for proper insulation. - Install temporary window reflectors (for use between windows and drapes), such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard, to reflect heat back outside. - Weather-strip doors and sills to keep cool air in. - Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, awnings or louvers. (Outdoor awnings or louver can reduce the heat that enters a home by up to 80 percent.)
During a heat emergency What you should do if the weather is extremely hot. - Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure. - Stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine if air conditioning is not available. First Aid for Heat-Induced Illnesses Sunburn Symptoms: Skin redness and pain, possible swelling, blisters, fever, headaches. First Aid: • Take a shower using soap to remove oils that may block pores, preventing the body from cooling naturally. • Apply dry, sterile dressings to any blisters and get medical attention. Heat cramps Symptoms: Painful spasms, usually in leg and abdominal muscles; heavy sweating. First Aid: • Get the victim to a cooler location. • Lightly stretch and gently massage affected muscles to relieve spasms. • Give sups of up to a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. (Do not give liquids with caffeine or alcohol.) • Discontinue liquids, if victim is nauseated.
Heat Stroke (A severe medical condition) Symptoms: High body temperature (105+); hot, red, dry skin; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid shallow breathing. Victim will probably not sweat unless victim was sweating from recent strenuous activity. Possible unconsciousness. First aid: Call 9-1-1 or emergency medical services, or get the victim to a hospital immediately. Delay can be fatal. • Move victim to a cooler environment. • Remove clothing. • Try a cool bath, sponging or wet sheet to reduce body temperature. • Watch for breathing problems. • Use extreme caution. • Use fans and air conditioning. Source: FEMA - Consider spending the warmest part of the day in public buildings such as libraries, schools, movie theaters, shopping centers and other community facilities. Circulating air can cool the body by increasing the perspiration rate of evaporation. - Eat well-balanced, light and regular meals. Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician. - Drink plenty of water. Persons who have epilepsy or heart, kidney or liver disease; are on fluid-restricted diets; or have a problem with fluid retention should consult a doctor before increasing liquid intake. - Limit intake of alcoholic beverages. - Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible. - Protect face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat. - Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning and who spend much of their time alone. - Never leave children or pets alone or in closed vehicles.
- Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. Use a buddy system when working in extreme heat and take frequent breaks.
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