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M E R I D I A N M A G A Z I N E

Surviving the Next Heat Wave
By Carolyn Nicolaysen

The summer of 2006 brought to North America a heat wave that left the USA and Canada reeling. From July 15^th to August 27^th, its death toll was 225. Knowing what we know now, no family should be unprepared if it comes again.

From July 15^th to July 22^nd 2006, unusually high temperatures spread across most all of the United States and Canada. On Monday, July 17^th, every one of the lower 48 states reached 90°F (32°C) or above, except for North Dakota, which had reached 104°F (40°C) the day before. No section of the continental United States was spared.

A windstorm in St. Louis caused power outages lasting several days, shutting down their cooling centers for poor and elderly, and leaving everyone without a way to cool off.

A power outage in Southern California left families without power for four days as temperatures reached 114ºF (45ºC). Transformers literally burned up from the overload, and whole sections of the grid went down. Neighborhoods were left without power for the fridge, the freezer, the A/C, the TV, the stereo, and the internet. There were no microwaves to cook a meal or warm a baby bottle, and no ice to cool off. Fire danger went up. People could not sleep at night with no A/C and no breeze. Tempers flared. It was a scorcher!

Looking ahead, will this summer be easier to endure? Nobody knows, but if not, there is no better time than now to prepare for heat-related emergencies. Your family, your neighbors, and your friends might need a little prodding to be ready, too.

The elderly, young children, pregnant women and those taking diuretics are most vulnerable to heat-related emergencies. If a member of your family is taking any medications, check with your doctor or pharmacist to determine if they are more susceptible to the effects of the heat.

Following are a few steps you can take to help make heat waves a little more bearable:

It's O.K. to raid your 72-hour kit. That's right — 72-hour kits are not just for earthquakes and hurricanes, but for any emergency. Your kit should include Instant Cold Packs . Now is the time to use these to help cool an overheated person or to help cool the body so you can sleep. Place them on the neck or forehead for the best results. Glow Sticks are great to provide night lights in the bathroom or a child's bedroom during a power outage, common during a heat wave. Glow sticks are much safer than candles and won't run down batteries in your flashlights. A battery powered or crank Radio will allow you to remain aware of any weather updates or in the case of a power outage, will allow you to receive the latest news concerning the reestablishment of power. Mylar Blankets placed in the sunniest windows will cut down on the heat entering your home. Move the blankets as the sun moves. You will be amazed at how quickly the temperature in a room will drop when you cover your windows with these blankets. Mylar blankets are also great to use outdoors to create shade as they reflect the sun's rays.
Get wet. Take a shower and don't dry your hair, take a dip in the pool and don't dry off (if the pool is in the sun don't stay in too long), run through the sprinkler, keep a spray bottle nearby and mist your face (also great for your complexion), use wet compresses on your neck or head, keep a wet washcloth by your bed to cool yourself through the night, wrap your head in a wet bandana, or soak your feet. (Hint: If you shower in hot water, your blood vessels will rise toward your skin and you will feel cooler afterwards.)
Drink lots of water. If you get bored with water, drink lemonade or juices, but never anything with caffeine or alcohol because these will raise your body temperature. Sodas will only increase your thirst. If you are thirsty, you have waited too long to drink.
Eat cold foods. This is the time to eat sandwiches, salads and other foods that are not heated. Avoid large portions of protein foods because they will increase body temperature. Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
Cook outdoors if you feel you must have a hot meal. You can do just about anything on your outdoor grill that you can do on your stove. Take out a skillet, a griddle, and a pot to prepare your meal outdoors. Crock pot cooking is also a great way to keep the heat outside. Just take the whole thing outside and (if you have electricity) plug it into an outlet on the patio.
Keep blinds and curtains closed.
Move activities, including eating and sleeping, to the coolest room in the house. This will normally be on the lowest level of your home and in a room with an exposure that does not receive direct sunlight.
This is one time when you shouldn't be concerned with how much television the family watches. Play board games or read, but don't be too active.
Use your outdoor umbrellas outside the windows receiving direct sun. Outdoor canopies, tarps and dining flies also work well.
Cover your air conditioner with shade. Use a canopy or outdoor umbrella. This will allow air to circulate while still cooling the unit, making it more efficient.
Wear loose, light-colored clothing.
Install ceiling fans and/or sit next to a fan. Remember fans do not cool the air; they only move it. You become cooler as the moisture on your skin evaporates. This is the reason you want to stay wet!
Work outside early in the day, before 11:00 AM or late in the day, after 7:00PM.
Skip the exercise routine. Even if you exercise indoors, be careful not to get overheated before going outside.
Go shopping! No kidding. Go to the grocery store or mall and window shop. Under some circumstances they may have the air conditioning cranked up and it may not be cooler, but if it is, shop slowly. Taking in a movie or going bowling are other “cool” pastimes.
Check on housebound and elderly — neighbors and friends — and get them to a cooler location.
Visit a friend or relative out of town. The temperature in the city is usually several degrees higher that the temperature in a country setting. The hard surfaces — walls, sidewalks, streets, parking lots — all retain heat and increase the temperature. Get out where there are trees and grass.
Watch for heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat cramps are muscle pains and spasms due to heavy exertion and dehydration. Although heat cramps are the least severe, they are often the first signal that the body is in trouble. Someone suffering from heat exhaustion will have cool, moist, pale, or flushed skin; sweat heavily; have a headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature may be normal, or may be rising. Someone suffering from heat stroke will have hot, red skin; lapse of consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Their body temperature can be very high, as high as 105 degrees F. If the person was sweating from heavy work or exercise, skin may be wet; otherwise, it will feel dry. If any of these symptoms are present call your doctor or hospital for treatment directions. If you have any doubt, call for help.
Turn off lights and the computer in the rooms you are trying to cool down. Both will generate heat.
When it cools down at night, open all the windows. Close them again mid-morning as it starts to heat up.
Never leave children or pets in a parked car, even with the windows open.
If you are stranded in your car, place mylar blankets on the roof and over the windshield and rear window, on the outside of the car. Keep the windows open. The mylar blankets will reflect the sun, greatly reducing the heat.
Remember your pets. Pets can also suffer from heat stroke. Treat them as you would other family members. Lay down a wet towel on a tile floor. Spray pets with water. Encourage them to drink often. Keep them indoors. Feed them smaller more frequent meals.
If you need to go outside, wear a wide brimmed hat and sunscreen.
Find a cooling center by calling the police department or fire department.

Heat-related emergencies are very serious. Add a power outage and the results are deadly. Protect yourself now by accumulating items which will help through the emergency and learn how to use them. Teach your family members the dangers and warning signs now.

Clip and Post in your home and car:

Know the signs:

Heat cramps: Heat cramps are muscle pains and spasms due to heavy exertion and dehydration. Although heat cramps are the least severe, they are often the first signal that the body is in trouble.
Heat Exhaustion: Someone suffering from heat exhaustion will have cool, moist, pale, or flushed skin; sweat heavily; have a headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and general exhaustion. Body temperature may be normal, or may be rising.
Heat stroke: Someone suffering from heat stroke will have hot, red skin; lapse of consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Their body temperature can be very high, as high as 105 degrees F. If the person was sweating from heavy work or exercise, skin may be wet; otherwise, it will feel dry. If any of these symptoms are present call your doctor or hospital for treatment directions. If you have any doubt, call for help.

Treat Immediately:

Heat cramps: Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. Lightly stretch 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 can cause further dehydration, making conditions worse.
Heat exhaustion: Get the person out of the heat and into a cooler place. Increase ventilation by opening windows or using a fan. Cool them down as quickly as possible. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. If the person is conscious, give cool water to drink. Make sure the person drinks slowly. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not give them aspirin or other medications. Let the victim rest in a comfortable position, and watch carefully for changes in his or her condition.
Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation. Help is needed fast. Call 911 or your local emergency number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Immerse victim in a cool bath, or wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it. Place victim in front of an open window or fan. Never leave a victim alone. Watch for signals of breathing problems. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body any way you can. If the victim refuses water, is vomiting, or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.

With preparation, you can transform a heat wave from a full-fledged disaster, to merely a hot and miserable adventure for your family and friends. Only you will fully appreciate what might have been, and the joy that comes from being — and feeling — truly prepared.

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