Independence Health Director Larry Jones has issued a Hot Weather Health Advisory today for Independence.
The National Weather Service is forecasting temperatures in the mid to upper 90s or low 100s with a heat indices as high as 103.
Because heat and humidity can combine to pose substantial health risks, the Independence Health Department advises residents to take extra precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses and deaths.
Residents are encouraged to check on elderly family members and neighbors regularly to be sure they are not suffering from the effects of high temperatures. Do not leave infants and children unattended in hot environments.
Infants and children up to 4 years of age are sensitive to the effects of high temperatures and rely on others to regulate their environments and provide adequate liquids. Infants and children should never be left unattended in a parked car or other hot environment.
Pets need attention too. Never leave a cat or dog unattended in a car. Interior car temperatures will reach dangerously high levels in a matter of minutes. In very hot, humid weather never leave your pet outside. Leave your pet indoors in an area with good ventilation and lots of cool water. Limit the time your cat or dog spends outside,
especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
To Prevent Heat-Related Illness:
- Be aware of the warning signs of heat-related illness, such as
- light-headedness, mild nausea or confusion, sleepiness or profuse
- sweating.
- Increase your fluid intake; drink more liquid than your thirst
- indicates.
- Drink non-alcoholic and caffeine-free liquids, such as water and
- juices.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
- When accustomed to working or exercising in a hot environment,
- start slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Rest frequently in a shady
- area.
- Spend time in an air-conditioned place; if not at home, then such
- public places as libraries, supermarkets, shopping malls and movie
- theaters.
- Do not rely on fans as your primary cooling device during a heat
- wave.
- Schedule outdoor activities carefully, preferably before noon or in
- the evening.
- When working in the heat, monitor the condition of your co-workers
- and have someone do the same for you.
- Monitor those at high risk, such as the elderly, infants and
- children up to 4 years of age, someone who is overweight or someone on
- medication.
- Ask your physician whether you are at a particular risk because of
- medication.
- Do not leave infants, children or pets unattended in a parked car
- or other hot environment.
If you do not have air conditioning in your home,consider spending some time in a shopping mall, public library or other air-conditioned location.
Electric fans may be useful to increase comfort or to draw cool air into your home at night, but do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device during a heat wave. As the air temperature rises, airflow is increasingly ineffective in cooling the body until finally; at temperatures above about 100F (the exact number varies with the humidity) increasing air movement actually increases heat stress. More specifically, when the temperature of the air rises to about 100F, the fan may be delivering overheated air to the skin at a rate that exceeds the capacity of the body to get rid of this heat, even with sweating, and the net effect is to add heat rather than to cool the body.
The Missouri toll-free elder abuse hot line to report any elderly persons suffering from the heat and needing assistance. That phone number is 800-392-0210.
Additional information on preventing heat-related illness is available through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services' web site at www.dhss.mo.gov.
