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Summer
Safety Tips |
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To prepare for high temperatures and potential power outages, the Fresno-Madera Area
Agency on Aging recommends the following:
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| Your
Home |
- Be aware of days of extreme heat by listening to the radio,
TV and/or reading the newspaper for forecasts.
- Stay indoors and avoid extreme temperature changes.
- Use air conditioners or swamp coolers, or keep electrical fans running.
- Wear light-colored, lightweight, and loose-fitting clothing.
- Have a reserve supply of bottled water.
- Have a flashlight/lantern available for lighting with an extra supply of batteries.
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| Your Health |
- Develop a summer safety emergency plan including key information and phone numbers for family and friends, physician, hospital preference, and pharmacy, as well as a list of current medications and any allergies.
- Avoid heat exposure as much as possible.
- Make any necessary appointments for the doctor, shopping, etc. in the morning.
- Prevent dehydration by drinking at least 6-8 glasses of fluids every day.
- Good sources of fluids include fruit juices, water, caffeine-free beverages, milk, punch and Kool-Aid. Fluids that are NOT adequate sources include coffee, soda containing caffeine, tea, and alcohol.
- Know what to do when you get overheated and take heat seriously.
- Health concerns could occur with a rise in temperature, and may include heat cramps, heat fatigue, heat syncope, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke.
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General
signs and symptoms of heat related health problems include
weakness, dizziness, nausea, and/or muscle cramps.
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For heat cramps, heat fatigue, or
heat syncope, stop the activity that
caused the symptoms and move to a cooler environment as feasible. If you have other medical concerns, contact your physician.
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For heat exhaustion, seek immediate
medical attention. Do everything possible in the
interim, including moving to
a cooler environment as feasible, minimizing activity,
drinking water or juice, and using cool, wet cloths on the
body.
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Signs and symptoms of heat stroke include sudden high temperature, headache, rapid heart beat, difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, profuse sweating, muscle rigidity, confusion and/or altered mental status, and/or possible seizures.
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For heat stroke, CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY,
as this is a medical emergency. Be sure to move
to a cooler environment as feasible, apply cold water
compresses to the body, or immerse your body in cool
water while waiting for medical transport.
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