Heat Warnings

Heat Stroke

The next few days are going to be very hot and humid, which is very dangerous to specific groups of people.

The elderly are specifically at risk. Others at risk are infants, pre-schoolers, children, outdoor workers and athletes.

To prevent heat stroke:

•Stay indoors in a cool or air-conditioned room on extremely hot days.

•Drink plenty of fluids, avoid strenuous work or sport activities during intense sunlight hours, which are 10am to 3pm. For more info, call MCA Community Health Nurses at 613-575-2341

HEAT RELATED CONDITIONS

HEAT RASH SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Red, bumpy rash with severe itching

HEAT RASH CAUSE

Hot humid environment; plugged sweat glands

HEAT RASH TREATMENT

Change into dry clothes and avoid hot environment. Rinse with cool water

Prevention

Wash regularly to keep skin clean and dry.

HEAT CRAMPS SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Painful cramps in arms legs or stomach that occur suddenly at work or later at home. Cramps are serious because they can be a symptom of more dangerous heat-induced illnesses.

HEAT CRAMPS CAUSE

Heavy sweating drains a person’s body of salt, which cannot be replaced just by drinking water.

HEAT CRAMPS TREATMENT

Move to a cool area; loosen clothing and drink cool salted water* (1 tsp. salt per gallon of water) or commercial fluid replacement beverage. Do not take salt tablets. If the cramps are severe or don’t go away, see a doctor.

HEAT CRAMPS PREVENTION

•Reduce activity levels and/or heat exposure. Drink fluids regularly. Workers should check on each other to help spot the symptoms that often precede heat stroke.

FAINTING SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Sudden passing out after at least two hours of work; cool moist skin; weak pulse

Cause

Not enough blood flowing to the brain. Fluid loss and inadequate water intake.

FAINTING TREATMENT

Fainting may be due to a heart attack or other illness. GET MEDICAL AID. Assess need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Move to a cool area; loosed clothing, make person lie down, if the person is conscious, offer sips of cool water.

FAINTING PREVENTION

Reduce activity levels and/or heat exposure. Drink fluids regularly. Workers should check on each other to help spot the symptoms that often precede heat stroke.

HEAT EXHAUSTION SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Heavy sweating; cool moist skin, body temperature over 38̊ Celsius (100̊ Fahrenheit); weak pulse, normal or low blood pressure, person is tired, weak, clumsy, upset or confused; is very thirsty or is panting or breathing rapidly, vision may be blurred.

HEAT EXHAUSTION CAUSE

Inadequate salt and water intake causes a person’s body cooling system to start to break down.

HEAT EXHAUSTION TREATMENT

GET MEDICAL AID. This condition can lead to heat stroke, which can kill. Move the person to a cool shaded area; loosed or remove excess clothing; provide cool water to drink (salted if possible); fan and spray with cool water.

HEAT EXHAUSTION PREVENTION

Reduce activity levels and/or heat exposure. Drink fluids regularly. Workers should check on each other to help spot the symptoms that often precede heat stroke.

HEAT STROKE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

High body temperature (over 41̊ Celsius 106̊ Fahrenheit) and any one of the following; the person is weak, confused, upset or acting strangely; has hot, dry, red skin, a fast pulse; a headache or dizziness. In later stages a person may pass out and have convulsions.

HEAT STROKE CAUSE

When a person’s body has used up all its water and salt; it will stop sweating. This can cause body temperature to rise to a deadly lever. May follow heat exhaustion or develop suddenly.

HEAT STROKE TREATMENT

CALL AMBULANCE. This condition can kill a person quickly. Remove excess clothing, fan and spray the person with cool water; offer sips of cool water if the person is conscious.

HEAT STROKE PREVENTION

Reduce activity levels and/or heat exposure. Drink fluids regularly. Workers should check on each other to help spot the symptoms that often precede heat stroke.

SUNBURN SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Red, painful or blistering and peeling skin.

SUNBURN CAUSE

Too much sun exposure.

SUNBURN TREATMENT

If blisters appear on the skin seek medical attention. Use skin lotion (avoid topical anesthetics) and work in the shade.

SUNBURN PREVENTION

Work in the shade; cover skin with clothing; apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15.