The dreaded summer heat is around the corner, and Texans need to take precautionary measures. The American Red Cross offers the information below to help families stay safe.
Each summer thousands of people suffer from heat cramps, heat exhaustion or even heat stroke. Listening to the weather forecast warnings, being aware of impending heat waves, and discussing an action plan for heat-related emergencies with your family, could all help to defend against the unrelenting heat.
Summer heat can affect those in and outdoors and often causes power outages, leaving people without air conditioning and susceptible to the elements. If this happens, people should go to a library mall, or some other location that has a working air conditioner to keep cool.
Community members should also be looking out for each other while they are adhering to heat precautions.
SYMPTOMS OF HEAT RELATED EMERGENCY: Heat-related emergencies do not always appear as you would think. Individual symptoms may include:
- Cool, moist, pale or flushed skin
- Heavy sweating
- Headache
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Dizziness/Loss of Consciousness
- Weakness
WHAT TO DO: If you see someone suffering from heat stress, follow these quick steps:
- If losing consciousness or vomiting, immediately call 9-1-1.
- Relocate to an air-conditioned or shaded area.
- Slowly drink cool water.
- Apply ice or cold towels to the head, neck, groin, wrists, ankles and armpits.
The Red Cross offers an app that provides instant access on how to treat common emergencies as well as a hospital locator which is helpful for travelers. The emergency app is a single ‘go-to’ source for weather alerts and safety tips for everything from a power outage, to a severe thunderstorm, to a hurricane. All Red Cross apps can be downloaded for free in-app stores by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ or by going to redcross.org/apps.