CERT Offers Heat Safety Tips

With the continued hot weather, the town is offering residents a place to go to cool down both on Saturday and Sunday.

Tomorrow, the Library will be open during its regular hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday, High Plains will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Orange CERT members will be on hand at High Plains Community Center on Sunday to assist anyone who comes there for relief.

It is important to recognize these signs of heat related health problems.

HEAT CRAMPS are muscular pains and spasms that usually occur in the legs and abdomen caused by exposure to high heat and humidity and loss of fluids and electrolytes. Heat cramps are the early sign that the body is having trouble with the heat.

•  Get the person to cooler place and have them rest in a comfortable position, lightly stretching the affected muscle and replenish fluids.

•  Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. DO NOT give liquids with alcohol or caffeine in them as they make conditions worse.

HEAT EXHAUSTION typically involves loss of body fluids through heavy sweating during strenuous exercise or physical labor in high heat and humidity.

Signs of heat exhaustion include cool, moist; pale or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea; dizziness; weakness and exhaustion.

•  Move person to a cooler place. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths or towels to the skin.  Fan the person.  If person is conscious, give small amounts of cool water to drink.  Make sure person drinks slowly. Watch for changes in condition.

•  If person refuses water, vomits or begins to lose consciousness, call 9-1-1.

HEAT STROKE is a life-threatening condition in which a person’s temperature control system stops working and body is unable to cool itself.

Signs of heat stroke include hot, red skin which may be dry or moist; changes in consciousness, vomiting; and high body temperature.

• Heat stroke is life-threatening. Call 9-1-1.

• Move person to cooler place.  Quickly cool persons body temperature by giving care as you would for heat exhaustion. If needed continue rapid cooling by applying ice or cold packs wrapped in cloth to the wrist, ankles, groin, neck and armpits.