During extremely hot and humid weather, your body’s ability to cool itself is challenged. When the body heats too rapidly to cool itself properly, or when too much fluid or salt is lost through dehydration or sweating, body temperature rises and you or someone you care about may experience a heat-related illness. It is important to know the symptons of excessive heat exposure and the appropriate responses. Here is a list of warning signs and symptoms of heat illness and the recommended first aid steps.

 

HEAT EXHAUSTION 

SYMPTOMS  FIRST AID
   
* Heavy sweating * Move to a cool place
* Cold, pale, and clammy skin                                    * Loosen your clothes
* Fast, weak pulse * Put cool, wet cloths on your body or take a cool bath
* Nausea or vomiting * Sip Water
* Muscle cramps  
* Tiredness or weakness Get Medical Help right away if:
* Dizziness * You are throwing up
* Headache * Your symptoms get worse after being in a cool place
* Fainting (passing out) * Your symptoms last longer than an hour

 

HEAT CRAMPS

SYMPTOMS                                                    FIRST AID
   
* Heavy sweating during intense exercise * Stop physical activity and move to a cool place
* Muscle pain or spasms * Drink Water or a sports drink
  * Wait for cramps to go away before you do
      anymore physical activity
   
  Get Medical Help right away if:
  * Cramps last longer than an hour
  * Your on a low-sodium diet
  * You have heart problems

 

SUNBURN

SYMPTOMS FIRST AID
   
Painful, red and warm skin                   Stay out of the sun until burn heals
Blisters on the skin

Put cool cloths on sunburned areas 

  Take a cool bath
  Put moisturizing lotion on burned areas
  DO NOT break blisters

 

 

HEAT RASH

SYMPTOMS FIRST AID
   
* Red clusters of small blisters that look like pimples * Stay in a cool, dry place

    on the skin (usually on the neck, chest, groin, or in

* Keep the rash dry
    creases of elbows or knees) * Use powder to soothe the rash                              
   

 

 HEAT STROKE

SYMPTOMS FIRST AID
   

* High body temperature (103 or higher)

* Call 911 right away    
* Hot, red, dry, or damp skin * Move person to a cooler place              
* Fast, strong pulse * Help lower person's temperature
* Headache      with cool cloths or a cool bath 
* Dizziness * Do not give the person a drink 
* Nausea  
* Confusion  
* Losing consciousness (passing out)  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

heat safety

 

 

 

heat warning

 

For Additional Information On Heat Safety Please Visit:

WEATHER.GOV/HEAT