Tips for handling heat waves

Center News

Yes, it can happen here — with urban temperatures rising, learn how to prevent excessive heat from hurting your health

Unlike a tornado, flood or winter storm, excessive heat is not a hazard Pacific Northwesterners typically see coming. In our moderate climate, it's easy to forget heat can be a serious threat to life. During a typical Seattle summer, three or four heat-related fatalities may occur. More lives are at risk during abnormally hot summers, such as in 1992 when 50 to 60 people died.

Nationwide between 1994 and 2003, excessive heat was the top weather-related killer, causing more fatalities each year than floods, lightning, tornadoes, hurricanes, winter storms or extreme cold hazards combined.

The Center for Disease Control estimates that nationwide 700 heat-related deaths occur every year. The number went above that in Chicago during the heat wave of 1995. During a heat wave in 2003, Europe suffered 35,000 heat-related fatalities.

The forecast for the future is not likely to change. With global warming, most regions are reporting more heat waves of longer duration and higher temperatures. And increasing urbanization creates more area subject to higher temperatures and less night cooling. As the nation's population ages, more and more people are at higher risk. But good news remains; heat-related mortalities are largely preventable.

So, who is most at risk, and what can we do during periods of excessive heat to protect our family, our friends and ourselves?

Older populations and the very young, the poor, individuals living alone, and people with mental illnesses and chronic diseases are most at risk. City residents in highly variable climates are at increased risk. On hot summer days, urban air can be 2 degrees to 10 degrees warmer than the surrounding countryside. Not to be confused with global warming, scientists call this phenomenon the urban-heat island effect.

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Steps to take before excessive heat hits:

• Install air conditioning. If that is not possible, predetermine where you could go to use air conditioning, like a mall, store, theater or other air-conditioned building.



• Obtain an appropriate number of fans for your home.



• Have plenty of water available.



• Have non-protein foods in stock. Protein products like meat increase metabolic-heat production and increase water loss.



• Do outdoor exercising during cooler periods of the day.



• Learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat exposure; heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Steps to take during periods of excessive heat:

• Pull the drapes or shades to keep the "cool" air in. If you are using fans, be sure they are out of reach of children.



• Slow down. Avoid, reduce or reschedule strenuous activities (indoors and out) to a cooler period of the day.



• Drink plenty of water, even if not feeling thirsty. (Those on fluid restrictions should consult their physician.)



• Dress for summer. Dress in lightweight, light-colored loose-fitting clothing that will help your body maintain more normal temperatures.



• Spend time in air-conditioned places. If you do not have home air conditioning, even a few hours a day in air-conditioned spaces, like malls, stores or theaters, can greatly reduce the risk.



• Don't get too much sun. Sunburn makes your body's job of heat dissipation more difficult.



• Avoid alcoholic or caffeinated beverages. They dehydrate the body and worsen the effect of heat on your body.



• Do not take salt tablets unless specified by a physician.



• Visit at-risk individuals at least twice a day. Watch for signs of heat-related illness such as hot, dry skin, confusion, hallucinations and aggression.

A reminder for parents: Open windows can be hazardous for toddlers and young children. They often climb up on the furniture to feel for a cool breeze. Screens may not hold securely if children push or fall against them. Window stops that allow windows to open only 4?6 inches let the breezes in, but prevent children from falling out.

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