SPRINGFIELD - With high temperatures expected over the
next couple of days, Illinois Department of Public Health Director Nirav Shah,
M.D., J.D. is urging Illinoisans to take preventive actions to avoid
heat-related illness like heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
“It’s important for people to recognize the signs of
heat-related illness and take action to prevent becoming sick. High heat
and humidity can lead to serious health problems,” Director Shah said.
“To help your body cope with high temperatures, take steps to stay cool,
increase your fluid intake, decrease your activities and wear appropriate
clothing.”
Stay Cool
·
Stay in air-conditioned buildings. Cooling
centers can be found by logging onto http://www.illinois.gov/KeepCool/SitePages/CoolingCenters.aspx.
·
Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling
device.
·
Limit outdoor activity, especially midday when
it is the hottest part of the day, and avoid direct sunlight.
·
Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
·
Take cool showers or baths to lower your body
temperature.
·
Check on at-risk friends, family, and neighbors
at least twice a day. These may include seniors and people with chronic
health conditions.
Stay Hydrated
·
Drink more water than usual and don’t wait until
you’re thirsty to hydrate.
·
Drink 2 to 4 cups of water every hour while
working or exercising outside.
·
Avoid alcohol or beverages with high amounts of
sugar.
Stay Informed
·
Check the local news for extreme heat warnings.
Normally, the body cools itself by sweating.
However, if temperatures and humidity are extremely high, sweating is not
effective in maintaining the body’s normal temperature. If the body does
not cool properly or does not cool enough, a person may suffer a heat-related
illness, which can become serious or even deadly if unattended. Warning
signs and symptoms vary but may include:
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People most vulnerable for heat-related illness include
the elderly, those who work or exercise outdoors, infants and children, the
homeless or poor, and people with a chronic medical condition.
The Illinois Department on Aging encourages relatives and
friends to make daily visits or calls to senior citizens living alone.
When temperatures and humidity are extremely high, seniors and people with
chronic health conditions should be monitored for dehydration and other effects
of extreme heat. Additionally, seniors should eat lighter meals, take
longer and more frequent rests, and drink plenty of fluids.
Never leave anyone, including pets, alone in a closed,
parked vehicle. The air temperature inside a car rises rapidly during hot
weather and can lead to brain damage or death.
Log onto www.ready.illinois.gov
and scroll toward the bottom for statewide weather information.
###
Melaney
Arnold
Illinois Department of Public Health
Illinois Department of Public Health
Public
Information Officer
(217) 558-0500
melaney.arnold@illinois.gov
(217) 558-0500
melaney.arnold@illinois.gov
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/IDPH.Illinois
Twitter: www.twitter.com/IDPH
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