Kane Health Department: Hot Temperatures Can Lead to Heat Illness

With the , the Kane County Health Department and Office of Emergency Management are reminding everyone that as temperatures and humidity levels increase, so too does the chance for suffering heat illness. You should be especially careful under these conditions while enjoying outdoor events and outdoor recreational activities. 

The Health Department and OEM are monitoring the conditions and are working with agencies and hospitals in the county for the potential of these conditions to lead to heat illness. Residents are encouraged to call 911 if they believe they or a loved one is suffering from a heat-related emergency.

The Health Department is recommending that residents take a few simple steps to avoid heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

• If you do not have air conditioning, such as a library, shopping mall or other public building.
• Avoid hot foods and heavy meals—they add heat to your body.
• Drink plenty of fluids and replace salts and minerals in your body. Do not take salt tablets unless under medical supervision.
• Dress in loose fitting clothing
• Infants and children should be shaded with hats or an umbrella.
• Limit sun exposure during mid-day hours and in places of potential severe exposure such as beaches. Heat exposure is cumulative—If you find yourself spending extended time outside, take plenty of breaks by finding shade or, better yet, in an air-conditioned building.
• Provide plenty of fresh water for your pets, and leave the water in a shady area.
• Please check on neighbors who may be vulnerable to excessive heat

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists the symptoms and treatment for heat stroke, heat exhaustion and other heat-related ailments here: www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress.

More information about coping with extreme heat is available by visiting the Health Department’s Web site at www.kanehealth.com/heat.htm.

This article is courtesy of the Kane County Health Department.