Red Cross, KCP&L offer information on coping with heat

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

It's hot! Heat index values in our area are over 100 degrees -- brought on by high humidity from plenty of moisture in the area from last week's storms. Today's forecast is for 96 degrees; with conditions similar to Monday's. That means take care -- the very young and senior citizens are particularly susceptible to heat-related illness, according to the American Red Cross.

Peggy Tedlock, at the Nevada Red Cross office on east Cherry Street, noted that according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 400 Americans die each year due to summer's sweltering heat. Furthermore, the National Weather Service asserts that excessive heat was the number one weather-related killer, causing more fatalities per year than floods, lightning, tornadoes, hurricanes, winter storms and extreme cold from 1994 to 2003.

Everyone is at risk when temperatures rise above 90 degrees but the elderly and the very young are most susceptible to heat and heat-related illnesses. Heat-related illnesses can cause serious injury and even death if unattended. Signs of heat-related illnesses include nausea, dizziness, flushed or pale skin, heavy sweating and headaches. Victims of heat-related illness should be moved to a cool place, given cool water to drink and ice packs or cool wet cloths should be applied to the skin. If a victim refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number immediately.

"Our primary goal is to mitigate emergencies by educating the community about how they can protect themselves and their families from heat-related illnesses," Tedlock Said.

Red Cross Heat Safety Tips:

* Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun's energy. It is also a good idea to wear hats or to use an umbrella.

* Drink water. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body. Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.

* Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid high-protein foods, which increase metabolic heat.

* Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4 and 7 a.m.

* Stay indoors when possible. If air-conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine. Remember that electric fans do not cool, they simply circulate the air.

* Be a good neighbor. During heat waves, check in on elderly residents in your neighborhood and those who do not have air conditioning.

* Learn Red Cross first aid and CPR. "While the above tips can help prevent emergencies, it is crucial to know what to do if an emergency situation arises," said, Faith Koppes, Director of Health and Safety, for the chapter.

General Care for Heat Emergencies:

* Heat cramps or heat exhaustion: (Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion. Heat exhaustion typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating.) Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. If the person is fully awake and alert, give half a glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not let him or her drink too quickly. Do not give liquids that contain alcohol or caffeine. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number if the person refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness.

* Heat stroke: (Also known as sunstroke. The victim's temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working.) Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation! Help is needed fast. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Immerse victim in a cool bath, or wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it. Watch for signals of breathing problems. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body any way you can. If the victim refuses water or is vomiting or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.

For more information on heat safety, visit www.redcross.org.

As a heat advisory blankets many parts of Missouri, Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, the state's Official Senior Advocate, also urged Missouri seniors to take precautions against dangerously high temperatures.

"This week, many parts of our state will face extremely high heat indices," said Kinder. "I am urging Missouri seniors to take adequate precautions to protect themselves from illness. I am also encouraging Missourians to take time to ensure that elderly neighbors are well suited to deal with the extreme heat."

Through the last decade, the greatest number of heat related deaths in Missouri have been of people age 65 years and older.

Last year, Kinder signed into law Senate Bill 720 which established a hot weather utility rule. From June 1 to Sept. 30, natural gas and electricity companies are prohibited from disconnecting service to residential customers on days when the temperature is expected to rise above 95 degrees or the heat index is expected to rise above 105 degrees for a 24-hour period. This legislation has helped protect low-income seniors across the state.

Kansas City Power and Light adheres to a hot weather policy complying with this rule.

"The safety of our customers is our top priority during hot weather," said Caisley. "We want our customers to know that there are also several things they can do to make sure they stay cool."

For more tips about how to stay cool and save energy during this heat wave, such as using the microwave for cooking when possible, visit www.kcpl.com.

For more information about assistance programs, customers can call the Customer Care Center at (888) 471-5275 or visit http://www.kcpl.com/residential/medicalcust.html for an online application.

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