Beat the Heat
News Release: July 18, 2008
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing; American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley (610) 865-4400, ext. 262; pager (610) 508-4378

Close. Hot and Humid. Muggy. Sweltering. Call it what you want, summer weather is here in full force.

Whether you’re staying in or heading out to the pool or beach to keep cool, be prepared to protect yourself and your loved ones from heat-related illnesses. The elderly, young children and those who are sick or overweight are move likely to suffer from extreme summertime heat. The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley recommends residents take precautions to keep safe.

Here are some tips to keep you and your loved ones safe this summer:

• Dress lightly -- wear thin, loose, light-colored or white fabrics.

• Drink plenty of fluids -- especially water -- regularly and often. Avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages.

• Eat small meals and eat more often.

• Take a cool shower, bath or go for a swim at a local pool.

• Try to stay in the coolest room in the house. Better yet, take a trip to an air-conditioned mall, library or some other public building.

• Be sure your air conditioner is in good working order.

• If you have it, use air conditioning at least intermittently to keep the temperature below 90 degrees.

• Use a fan. Fans are most helpful at night to bring in cool air. Remember to open a window to create circulation. Fans directed outward to bring cool air from the basement or fans directed at your body to increase evaporation work better than fans bringing in hot air from the outside.

• Limit your physical activity, as well as your child's, to the coolest times of the day -- early morning or late evening.

• Establish a buddy system where you, a family member, a friend or a local volunteer check on the elderly on a daily basis during a heat wave.

• Never leave a child or pet unattended in a vehicle.

• At a minimum, pets and domestic animals need a shaded and well-ventilated area and access to plenty of cool water.

• Remember that heat combined with humidity increases the likelihood of heat-related illness. An air temperature of 95 combined with 60 percent humidity equals a heat index of 114.

• Warning signs of heat stress: low energy, dizziness, nausea, headache. If you see signs of heat stress, get the person to a cool place as soon as possible.

• Warning signs of severe distress: extra fast heartbeat; confusion; diarrhea; vomiting; red, hot, dry skin; muscle cramps; chest pain; difficulty breathing. If you suspect severe distress, call for medical help immediately.

For more information, call the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley at (610) 865-4400, or visit www.redcrosslv.org.

The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves more than 690,000 residents of Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Last year the Red Cross provided health and safety education training; Lifeline, a personal response service for seniors; and emergency relief to more than 23,000 Greater Lehigh Valley residents. For more information about the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley or volunteer opportunities, call (610) 865-4400 or visit www.redcrosslv.org.