Preparing For a Heat Wave
The summer of 2006 brought record breaking heat to many parts of the country. Looking ahead we can work now to prepare our families for heat related emergencies. If you experience a heat wave in your area it is especially important to be aware of the elderly, young children and those taking diuretics. If a member of your family is taking any medications, check with your doctor or pharmacist to determine if they are more susceptible to the affects of the heat. Following are a few steps you can take to help make heat waves a little more bearable.
1. Raid your 72 hour kits… That’s right, 72 hour kits are not just for earthquakes and hurricanes but for any emergency. Your kit should include Instant Cold Packs. Now is the time to use these to help cool an over heated person or to help cool the body so you can sleep. Place them on the neck or forehead for the best results. Glow Sticks are great to provide night lights in the bathroom or a child’s bedroom during a power outage, common during a heat wave. A battery powered or crank Radio will allow you to remain aware of any weather updates or in the case of a power outage will allow you to receive the latest news concerning the reestablishment of power. Mylar Blankets placed in the sunniest windows will cut down on the heat entering your home. Move the blankets as the sun moves. You will be amazed at how quickly the temperature in a room will drop when you cover your windows with these blankets. Mylar blankets are also great to use outdoors to create shade as they reflect the sun’s rays.
2. Get wet. Take a shower and don’t dry your hair, take a dip in the pool and don’t dry off (if the pool is in the sun don’t stay in too long), run through the sprinkler, keep a spray bottle nearby and mist your face, use wet compresses on your neck or head, keep a wet washcloth by your bed to cool yourself through the night, wrap your head in a wet bandana, or soak your feet.
3. Drink lots of water. If you get bored with water drink lemonade or juices but never anything with caffeine or alcohol as these will raise your body temperature. Sodas will only increase your thirst. If you are thirsty you have waited too long to drink.
4. Eat cold foods. This is the time to eat sandwiches, salads and other foods that are not heated. Avoid protein foods as they will increase body temperature. Eat smaller meals, more often.
5. Cook outdoors if you feel you must have a hot meal. When our dishwasher caught fire a few years ago, we were in the middle of making breakfast for our family reunion. We simply took a skillet and griddle out to the barbeque and finished our eggs and pancakes out there. Crock pot cooking is also a great way to keep the heat outside. Just take the whole thing outside and plug it in to an outlet on the patio. I have adapted many of my recipes for crock pot cooking.
6. Keep blinds and curtains closed.
7. Move activities, including eating and sleeping, to the coolest room in the house. This will normally be on the lowest level of your home and in a room with an exposure that does not receive direct sunlight.
8. This is one time when you shouldn’t be concerned with how much television the family watches. Play board games or read, but don’t be too active.
9. Use your outdoor umbrellas outside the windows receiving direct sun. Outdoor canopies, tarps and dining flies also work well.
10. Cover your air conditioner with shade. Use a canopy or outdoor umbrella. This will allow air to circulate while still cooling the unit, making it more efficient.
11. Wear loose, light colored clothing.
12. Install ceiling fans and/or sit next to a fan. Remember fans do not cool the air, they only move it. You become cooler as the moisture on your skin evaporates. This is the reason you want to stay wet!
13. Work outside early in the day, before 11:00 AM or late in the day, after 7:00PM.
14. Skip the exercise routine. Even if you exercise indoors, be careful not to get overheated before going outside.
15. Go Shopping! No kidding. Go to the grocery store or mall and window shop. Under some circumstances they may have the air conditioning turned up and it may not be cooler, but if it is, shop slowly. Taking in a movie or going bowling are also “cool” past times.
16. Check on housebound and elderly, neighbors and friends and get them to a cooler location.
17. Visit a friend or relative out of town. The temperature in the city is usually several degrees higher that the temperature in a country setting. The hard surfaces , walls, sidewalks, streets, parking lots, all retain heat and increase the temperature. Get out where there are trees and grass.
18. Watch for heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat cramps are muscle pains and spasms due to heavy exertion and dehydration. Although heat cramps are the least severe, they are often the first signal that the body is in trouble. Someone suffering from heat exhaustion will have cool, moist, pale, or flushed skin; sweat heavily; have a headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature may be normal, or may be rising. Someone suffering from heat stroke will have hot, red skin; lapse of consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Their body temperature can be very high, as high as 105 degrees F. If the person was sweating from heavy work or exercise, skin may be wet; otherwise, it will feel dry. If any of these symptoms are present call your doctor or hospital for treatment directions. If you have any doubt, call for help.
19. Turn off lights and the computer in the rooms you are trying to cool down. Both will generate heat.
20. When it cools down at night open all the windows. Close them again mid morning as it starts to heat up.
21. Never leave children or pets in a parked car, even with the windows opened.
22. If you are stranded in your car place mylar blankets on the roof and over the windshield and rear window, on the outside of the car. Keep the windows opened. This will greatly reduce the heat.
23. Remember your pets. Pets can also suffer from heat stroke. Treat them as you would other family members. Lay down a wet town on a tile floor. Spray them with water. Encourage them to drink often. Keep them indoors. Feed them smaller more frequent meals.
24. If you need to go outside wear a wide brimmed hat and sunscreen.
25. Find a cooling center by calling the police department or the Red Cross.
- Heat stroke: 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, is vomiting, or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.
- Heat cramps: Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. Lightly stretch the affected muscle and replenish fluids. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not give liquids with alcohol or caffeine in them, as they can cause further dehydration, making conditions worse.
- Heat exhaustion: Get the person out of the heat and into a cooler place. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. If the person is conscious, give cool water to drink. Make sure the person drinks slowly. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Let the victim rest in a comfortable position, and watch carefully for changes in his or her condition.
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Dynamite blog post on Preparing For a Heat Wave. I love your blog.
Is nice to see some good articles like this one, thank you.