Heat Emergencies Soar with Temperature

8/10/2007

As temperatures hover around record highs in the area, Wake County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is being dispatched to numerous heat-related emergencies. Comparisons to last year's heat waves show a dramatic increase in heat-related dispatches this year.

"Last summer, there were never more than eight heat-related calls on any single day. On Tuesday of this week we had 11, then 16 on Wednesday, and 21 on Thursday. The heat is obviously affecting people severely," said Jeffrey Hammerstein, Wake EMS District Chief.

According to Wake EMS officials, as of 6 p.m. yesterday, none of those responses were reported to have involved life-threatening conditions.

Wake EMS urges everyone to be vigilant about protecting themselves, family and pets from heat-related emergencies.

While children and the elderly may be at a greater risk for heat illness, everyone, including the very physically fit, is susceptible. Signs of heat illness include thirst, weakness, irritability, dizziness, headache, concentrated or dark urine, nausea, muscle cramping, or generally decreased performance.

According to the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, each year, more than 300 people die in the United States due to the effects of heat illness. In fact, more people in the United States die each year from extreme heat exposure than from any other weather-related cause -- including hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, floods and earthquakes combined.

Heat-related illness, which is almost always preventable, is one of the few conditions that can kill an otherwise healthy person.

Here are some important ways to prevent heat-related illness:

• Drink plenty of fluids, especially those that contain electrolytes. Sweat is more than just water; it is a combination of fluid, sodium and other electrolytes. Sports drinks, like Gatorade, are formulated with electrolytes to help replace what the body loses in sweat.
• Research shows that active people will drink more of a lightly flavored beverage with sodium than they will drink of plain water, keeping them better hydrated.
• Wear light-colored and loose-fitting clothing.
• Take periodic breaks from the direct rays of the sun.
• Remember to take fluids with you to outdoor activities, because they may not be readily available.

For more summer safety tips, visit www.wakegov.com.

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