[Press Release] : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Summer Weather Safety Week

[Press Releases]

For Immediate Release
June 21, 2010
 
Geni Alexander, Public Information Officer
573.874.7632 or gaalexan at GoColumbiaMo.com 
 
Summer Weather Safety Week
Health Department Offers Tips for a Safe Summer
 
This week, June 20-26, is Missouri Summer Weather Safety Week, a time
for everyone to become more aware of the dangers that can be associated
with summer weather. The two most common summer weather-related injuries
are heat illness and lightning strikes. 
 
The National Weather Service reports that since 2000, lightning strikes
have claimed the lives of 12 Missourians. The health department offers
the following tips to avoid the dangers of lightning:Lightning can
strike up to 10 miles from where it is raining. If you are outside, move
quickly to a completely enclosed building before the storm arrives. Do
not go to a carport, open garage, covered patio or open window. A hard
topped all metal vehicle also provide good protection.
If no shelter is available, do not take shelter under a tree. Avoid
being the tallest object in the area. If only isolated trees are nearby,
crouch down on the balls of your feet in the open, keeping twice as far
away from a tree as it is tall.
Get out of the water, off the beach and out of small boats or canoes.
Avoid standing in puddles of water even if you are wearing rubber
boots.
Do not use metal objects such as golf clubs, metal bats, fishing rods,
or metal tools.
Stop tractor work and heavy construction equipment, especially when
pulling metal equipment.
If you are indoors, stay there! The best protection from lightning is a
house or other substantial building. Stay away from windows, doors and
metal pipes.
Do not use electric appliances during the storm. Turn off sensitive
equipment such as televisions, electronic components and computers.
Telephone use is the leading cause of indoor lightning injuries in the
United States. Do not make a call unless it is an emergency.


The National Weather Service also reports that since 2000, there have
been 216 heat-related deaths in Missouri. In 2009 alone, there were 763
heat-related emergency room visits across the state. The following tips
can help prevent heat illness:
•        Dress for the heat (light-colored, light-weight clothes) with
a hat or umbrella to block the sun.
•        Drink water (even if you’re not thirsty) and avoid alcohol
beverages and caffeine.
•        Eat small meals and eat more often.
•        Stay indoors with air-conditioning when possible.
•        Take regular breaks when physically active and avoid being
outside during the hottest part of the day.
 
Checking on elderly family or neighbors during excessive heat is
recommended. Additionally, it is NEVER safe to leave children or pets in
a closed vehicle with the windows up. Temperatures inside a closed
vehicle can reach over 140 degrees within minutes. Pet owners should
provide extra water and access to a cool environment for their pets.
 
Heat-related illness occurs when the body's temperature control system
is overloaded. The body normally cools itself by sweating, but when the
humidity is high, sweat will not evaporate as quickly, preventing the
body from releasing heat quickly. Very high body temperatures may damage
vital organs and spur heat-related illness including heat cramps, heat
exhaustion and heat strokes. The following symptoms and treatments are
recommended by the CDC and the National Weather Service:
 

Disorder
Symptoms
First Aid

Heat Cramps
·      Painful spasms, usually in leg muscles and abdomen, due to heavy
exertion
·      Heavy sweating
·     Stop activity and rest in a cool place
·     Lightly stretch or gently massage muscle to relieve spasms
·     Give sips of cool water

Heat Exhaustion
·      Heavy sweating
·      Cool, pale and clammy skin
·      Fast and weak pulse
·      Fast and shallow breathing
·      Fainting, dizziness, vomiting and nausea
·     Get victim to a cool place
·     Have him or her lie down and loosen clothing
·     Apply cool, moist cloths
·     Give sips of cool water

Heat Stroke
·      Temperature 103° or higher
·      No sweating
·      Rapid pulse
·      Fast and shallow breathing
·      Hot, red, dry skin
·      Nausea, dizziness, headache and confusion
·     Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency. Seek emergency
assistance or get the victim to a hospital immediately. Delay can be
fatal
·     Move the victim to a cooler environment
·     Use cool baths or sponging to reduce body temperature

 
The most efficient way to beat the heat is to spend time in an
air-conditioned area. The health department offers residents who do not
have air-conditioning access to Cooling Centers located throughout
Columbia. A complete list of Cooling Center locations can be found by
visiting the city’s website at www.gocolumbiamo.com and following links
to the health department. 
 
The Columbia/Boone County Office of Emergency Management offers summer
weather safety tips as well. More information can be found at
www.showmeboone.com/oem. 
 
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