Pitt County Government

July 7, 2010

Heat-Related Health Risks and Prevention Tips

The past few weeks of high temperatures provide a good reminder of the health-related impact of extreme heat. From June 11 through June 28, data from NC DETECT (Emergency Departments Visits) indicated that approximately 319 people had sought medical treatment for a heat-related illness. Currently, the majority of the heat-related ED visits are among young and middle aged adults. Most of these persons were exposed to heat while playing or working outside. Many jobs that require exposure to outside temperatures have the potential to place people at increased risk. A few simple measures can help reduce this potential.

To avoid heat-related illness on hot days:
- Drink plenty of water or fruit and vegetable juices. Avoid caffeine or alcohol.

- Limit your time outdoors, especially in the afternoon when the day is hottest.

- Be careful about exercising or doing a lot of activities when it is hot. Stay out of the sun, take frequent breaks, drink water or juice often, and watch for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

- Dress for the weather. Loose-fitting, light-colored cotton clothes are cooler than dark colors or some synthetics.

- If you live in a home without fans or air conditioning, open windows to allow air flow, and keep shades, blinds or curtains drawn in the hottest part of the day or when the windows are in direct sunlight. Try to spend at least part of the day in an air conditioned place like a shopping mall, a store, the library, a friend's house, or the movies. Cool showers can help, too. Do not use a fan when the air temperature is above 95 degrees -- it will blow hot air, which can add to heat stress.

- Never leave a child or a disabled or elderly person or a pet in an unattended car, even with the windows down. A closed vehicle can heat up to dangerous levels in as little as ten minutes.

Additional information can be found on the CDC web site.

Kiara Jones
Director of Public Information & Media Relations
Office of Public Information
252.902.2955