Notice taken in part from Lisa Dressler, DEM, U of MN: An EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING has been issued by the National Weather Service through July 5th, 2012. This means a combination of hot temperatures and high humidity combine to create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are likely.
Update: OSHA has a free heat safety tool App for blackberry, iphone and android.
Update: OSHA has a free heat safety tool App for blackberry, iphone and android.
The most common heat illnesses are heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat stroke is life threatening. Individuals suffering from this heat related illness will often be uncooperative.
Simple steps you can take (and encourage your neighbors to take) to prevent illness due to extreme heat include:
· Drink lots of cool, nonalcoholic, non-caffeinated beverages
· Rest
· Avoid strenuous activity outdoors, if you can
· Take a cool shower, bath or sponge bath
· Seek an air-conditioned environment such as a library or shopping mall
· Wear lightweight clothing
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has some great information on heat safety and emergencies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website has excellent resources on prevention of illness due to extreme heat. You may also access these resources through links posted on our department website.
In addition, our emergency preparedness partner, ECHO (Emergency and Community Health Outreach), currently has a recorded message on how to protect yourself during extreme heat. This recorded message is available in 10 languages. If you know people with Limited English Proficiency, prompt them to call ECHO phone toll free at (888) 883-8831 to get information.
MN OSHA heat stress guide
OSHA Heat stress quick cards
OSHA web site on heat stress - very user friendly
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