Dealing with extreme heat (peeps + critters)

[itsadisaster]

Now that AZ is hitting triple-digits in many places (with many more months of it to go) ... here are some basic tips on dealing with extreme heat. A lot of this is common sense stuff but posting here as fyi. Please add your tips & tricks too! Stay safe & cool out there, j (& B)


What is Extreme Heat? Temperatures that hover 10 degrees or more above the average high temperature for that area and last for several weeks are considered “extreme heat” or a heat wave. Humid and muggy conditions can make these high temperatures even more unbearable. Really dry and hot conditions can cause dust storms and low visibility. Droughts occur when a long period passes without enough rainfall. A heat wave combined with a drought is a very dangerous situation!

Doing too much on a hot day, spending too much time in the sun or staying too long in an overheated place can cause heat-related illnesses. Know the symptoms of heat illnesses and be ready to give first aid treatment.

BEFORE EXTREME HEAT HITS:

Keep it cool - Tips to keep hot air out and cool air inside include...
• Close any floor heat vents nearby.
• Seal gaps around window units with foam or duct tape.
• Use a circulating or box fan to spread the cool air around.
• Use aluminum foil covered cardboard in windows to reflect heat back outside.
• Use weather-stripping on doors and windowsills.
• Keep storm windows up all year to help keep cool in.

DURING EXTREME HEAT:

Protect windows - If you hang shades, drapes, sheets, or awnings on windows you can reduce heat from entering home by as much as 80%.

Conserve power - During heat waves there are usually power shortages since everyone is trying to cool off, so stay indoors as much as possible.

Conserve water - Tips to lower water usage, esp. during drought conditions
• Check plumbing for leaks.
• Replace toilet and shower head with “low flow” versions.
• Don’t leave water running while shaving, brushing teeth, washing dishes, cleaning fruit or veggies, etc.
• If washing dishes or clothes, make sure it’s a full load.
• Take short showers rather than filling up a bathtub.
• Limit watering lawn or washing cars.

No A/C..? - If you have no air conditioning, try to stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine and use electric fans to help keep yourself cool.

Cars - Never leave children or pets in vehicles on warm or hot days!!

Eat light - Light meals are best, especially fresh fruits and veggies.

Drink WATER - Increase your daily intake of water, esp. in dry climates (deserts and high elevations) -- you don’t realize how dehydrated you get.

Limit booze - Even though beer and alcoholic beverages may be refreshing on a hot day, they actually cause your body to dehydrate more.

What to wear - Light-colored (to reflect heat) loose-fitting clothes are best... and cover as much skin as possible. Dark colors absorb the sun’s heat. Also, wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect face and neck.

Use sunscreen - Apply lotion or cream at least 20 minutes before going outside so skin can absorb and protect, esp. face and neck (SPF 30 with a 3 or 4 star UVA protection is best). You usually burn within the first 10 minutes outside, so take care of your skin… especially children! A sunburn slows the body’s ability to cool itself and can be extremely dangerous.

Working outdoors - If you have to do yard work or other outdoor work, try to do it in the early morning hours to limit exposure in the sun. The most powerful sun is between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. (when you burn the quickest) so limit outdoor activity during the heat of the day, if possible.

Ozone alerts - These can cause serious danger to people with breathing and respiratory problems (especially children and the elderly) so limit your time outdoors when alerts are announced on the radio, newspapers or TV.
• ozone - a colorless gas that is in the air we breathe and is a major element of urban smog.
• ground-level ozone - an air pollutant that can lower resistance to colds, cause problems for people with heart and lung disease, and cause coughing or throat irritation
• ozone levels - (also called Air Quality Index) between 0-50 are fine, but anything above 100 is extremely dangerous!

Heat Index - Visit NOAA’s heat safety page at http://www.weather.gov/om/heat

Also learn about and watch for signs of HEAT EXHAUSTION and/or HEAT STROKE (ck out First aid thread here )


Above extracted from our IT'S A DISASTER! book - proceeds benefit APN.

[ReadyMom]

GREAT info, IAD!
A PDF printout is available on the GetPandemicReady website too:

Comfort >> Staying Cool
http://66.236.6.194:8888/pdf/Comfort-StayingCool.pdf

[TheLight]

Swamp coolers can be highly effective in extreme heat as well.
Don't forget to keep you body stocked with electrolytes as well. You can die from water toxicity too.

[itsadisaster]

Thanks RM!! I've been meaning to post this for weeks and saw your PDF on roo's state thread last night so figured I better git er done. Awesome job on yours too!

As fyi, I added link to heat-related first aid thread in above now. And good stuff TL..! Lots of swamp coolers here in the desert...

[ReadyMom]

Thanks RM!! I've been meaning to post this for weeks and saw your PDF on roo's state thread last night so figured I better git er done. Awesome job on yours too!

As fyi, I added link to heat-related first aid thread in above now. And good stuff TL..! Lots of swamp coolers here in the desert...

-- I figured even though I posted the link last night on another thread, it doesn't hurt to cross post. People will be looking in various places for info. GREAT info!

[itsadisaster]

Since many are still sweltering -- wanted to add some tips for the critters too...

Heatstroke tips for Pets ...

-- Never leave your pet in the car on warm days. The temperature inside a car can rise very quickly to dangerous levels, even on milder days. Pets can succumb to heatstroke very easily and must be treated very quickly to give them the best chance of survival.

-- If you cannot immediately get your pet to a veterinarian, move it to a shaded area and out of direct sunlight.

-- Place a cool or cold, wet towel around its neck and head (do not cover your pet's eyes, nose or mouth).

-- Remove the towel, wring it out, and rewet it and rewrap it every few minutes as you cool the animal.

-- Pour or use a hose to keep water running over the animal's body (especially the abdomen and between the hind legs), and use your hands to massage its legs and sweep the water away as it absorbs the body heat.

-- Transport the pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible

Tips for a horse

-- Move him to shady area (or erect temporary shade over him) and spray with cool water.

-- Place an ice pack on the jugular vein to help cool blood as it circulates and/or put some cubes in a rag or sock and tie to the top of halter. Note: If you put a wet towel over a horse's head to cool him down, do NOT cover his nose since they are nose breathers!!

-- Offer him fresh water and put some close by to drink. Watch for signs of dehydration too (e.g. sunken eyes, panting, dark red or dry, sticky gums, etc).

from American Veterinary Medical Association site .. & .. horse tips from SAVE YOUR HORSE! book by Michelle Staples