Heat Advisory Today
Stay cool out there today, it's getting hot! See the below information from Portland's Emergency Management Department (click the expanded link for more
CITY OF PORTLAND, OREGON
OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Tom Potter, Mayor
NEWS ADVISORY
May 15, 2008
For immediate release. For additional information, contact: Kerry Dugan (503) 823.2360 kdugan@ci.portland.or.us
With temperatures expected to dramatically rise (as much as 30 degrees) in the next few days, with Friday the warmest, the Portland Office of Emergency Management encourages you to take the
following precautions.
During heavy heat:
Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun.
Wear loose-fitting, light-weight clothing; if going out, wear a hat.
If air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor of a building out of the sunshine.
Check on family, friends, and neighbors who do not have air conditioning and who spend much
of their time alone.
Consider spending the warmest part of the day in air-conditioned public buildings such as
libraries, schools, movie theaters, shopping malls, and other community facilities. Circulating
air can cool the body by increasing the perspiration rate of evaporation.
Avoid hot foods and heavy meals.
Drink plenty of water. Some people should consult a doctor before increasing their fluid intake -- for example, people who have epilepsy, who have heart, kidney, or liver disease; or who are
on fluid-restricted diets; or have problems with fluid retention.
Limit intake of alcoholic beverages.
Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles. .
Don’t get too much sun. Sunburn makes it more difficult for your body to get rid of heat.
If you are at risk from extreme heat (Example: Elderly, those with chronic diseases):
• Plan changes in your daily activities to avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. Ill effects of heat can quickly overcome the healthiest people, if they perform strenuous work
during the warmest parts of the day. Symptoms of dehydration are not easily recognized and are often confused with other problems. Dehydration occurs fast and makes you ill very quickly.
• Some people take medications or have medical conditions that can cause poor blood circulation or reduced ability to tolerate heat. Ask your health care provider whether you might have special problems with heat. Your provider can advise you about changes to
medication or other activities you can do to temporarily relieve the effects of heat.
• Discuss extreme heat wave with your family. Everyone should know what to do to protect
themselves in the places where they spend time. Some places may not be air conditioned or safe
during a heat wave, so plan alternatives. Discussing extreme heat ahead of time will help reduce fear
and anxiety, and lets everyone know how to respond.
First Aid for Heat-Induced Illnesses
Extreme heat brings with it the possibility of heat-induced illnesses. The following table lists these illnesses,
their symptoms, and the first aid treatment.
Condition Symptoms First Aid
Sunburn Skin redness and pain, possible
swelling, blisters, fever, headaches
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
Painful spasms, usually in leg and
abdominal muscles; heavy sweating
Get the victim to a cooler location.
Lightly stretch and gently massage affected
muscles to relieve spasms.
Give sips 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
Exhaustion
Heavy sweating but skin may be
cool, pale, or flushed. Weak pulse.
Normal body temperature is
possible, but temperature will likely
rise. Fainting or dizziness, nausea,
vomiting, exhaustion, and
headaches are possible.
Get victim to lie down in a cool place.
Loosen or remove clothing.
Apply cool, wet clothes.
Fan or move victim to air-conditioned place.
Give sips of water if victim is conscious.
Be sure water is consumed slowly.
Give half glass of cool water every 15 minutes.
Discontinue water if victim is nauseated.
Seek immediate medical attention if vomiting
occurs.
Heat Stroke
( a severe
medical
emergency)
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.
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.
Removing clothing
Try a cool bath, sponging, or wet sheet to
reduce body temperature.
Watch for breathing problems.
Use extreme caution.
Use fans and air conditioners.
For additional information: Click on the Portland Office of Emergency Management website:
www.PortlandOnline.com/oem
Or contact: The Oregon Trail Chapter-American Red Cross: Tel. (503) 284.1234 www.redcrosspdx.
org
Posted on May 16, 2008
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