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News Release: Red Cross Heat Safety Tips Save Lives As Heat Wave Continues, People Urged to Take Precautions Against Extreme Summer Temperatures Contact: Darren Irby irbyd@usa.redcross.org Phone: (703) 206-8150 Pager: (800) 759-8888 National Headquarters 430 17th Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20006     WASHINGTON, D.C., August 1, 2001 -- Extreme heat has taken a toll across the United States in recent weeks, and there are many more days of sweltering conditions ahead. Soaring temperatures - especially in the Midwest from Minnesota to Texas -- have already claimed numerous lives. The American Red Cross is urging people to beat the heat by taking steps to protect themselves and their loved ones from extreme temperatures. In Chicago alone, 13 people have died this year as a result of dangerously high temperatures and humidity. Other parts of the country have suffered heat-related tragedy as well, including Oklahoma City; San Jose, California; and the Upper Midwest - where heat stroke claimed the life of a professional football player for the Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday. According to the National Weather Service, an average of 175 Americans are killed each year by summer heat. In some years, heat is the biggest killer among all types of severe weather. More than 1,250 people died nationwide during the devastating U.S. heat wave of 1980, and 465 heat-related deaths were reported in Chicago during a 16-day period as recently as 1995. The American Red Cross treats severe heat like any other major emergency. "We go 'on alert' any time the forecast calls for high temperatures," said Skip Batchelor, head of disaster services for the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago. "Our disaster team supports the city agencies as they open cooling centers - providing water, cots and health care if needed. During a particularly dangerous heat wave, our volunteers help officials go door-to-door, checking on elderly or sick residents who cannot leave their homes." Everyone is at risk when temperatures rise above 90 degrees, but the elderly and the very young are most susceptible to heat and heat-related illnesses. Heat-related illnesses can cause serious injury and even death if unattended. Signs of heat-related illnesses include nausea, dizziness, flushed or pale skin, heavy sweating and headaches. Victims of heat-related illness should be moved to a cool place, given cool water to drink and ice packs or cool wet cloths should be applied to the skin. If a victim refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number immediately. Red Cross Heat Safety Tips . . . Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun's energy. It is also a good idea to wear hats or to use an umbrella. Drink water. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body. Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid high-protein foods, which increase metabolic heat. Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. Stay indoors when possible. Be a good neighbor. During heat waves, check in on elderly residents in your neighborhood and those who do not have air conditioning. Know What These Heat-Related Terms Mean . . . Heat cramps: Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion. They usually involve the abdominal muscles or the legs. It is generally thought that the loss of water and salt from heavy sweating causes the cramps. Heat exhaustion: Heat exhaustion is less dangerous than heat stroke. It typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a warm, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Fluid loss causes blood flow to decrease in the vital organs, resulting in a form of shock. With heat exhaustion, sweat does not evaporate as it should, possibly because of high humidity or too many layers of clothing. As a result, the body is not cooled properly. Signals include cool, moist, pale or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal. Heat stroke: Also known as sunstroke, heat stroke is life-threatening. The victim's temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly. Signals include hot, red and dry skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Body temperature can be very high -- sometimes as high as 105 F. General Care For Heat Emergencies . . . Cool the Body; Give Fluids; Minimize Shock Heat cramps/heat exhaustion: Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not let him or her drink too quickly. Do not give liquids with alcohol or caffeine in them, as they can make conditions worse. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths such as towels or wet sheets. Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation! Help is needed fast. Call 9-1-1 or your local EMS number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it. If you have ice packs or cold packs, wrap them in a cloth and place them on each of the victim's wrists and ankles, in the armpits and on the neck to cool the large blood vessels. (Do not use rubbing alcohol because it closes the skin's pores and prevents heat loss.) Watch for signals of breathing problems and make sure the airway is clear. Keep the person lying down. For more information or to enroll in a Red Cross first aid and CPR course, contact your local American Red Cross chapter. To locate your local Red Cross or for more information on disaster preparedness and safety, visit www.redcross.org. The American Red Cross is dedicated to saving lives, easing suffering and restoring hope at home and around the world. Currently operating on a budget of $2.7 billion, the Red Cross annually mobilizes relief to the victims of more than 67,000 disasters nationwide. Bernadine Healy, M.D. is president and CEO of the American Red Cross.

 

Swimming Pool Safety Tips

With the warmer days of Summer upon us, millions of Americans will be enjoying there swimming pools over the next months.  Swimming pools are great family fun, and an excellent way to beat the heat.  Swimming pools are fun, but there is also dangerous of safety and precautions are not a priority.  Every year an average of 300 children under the age of 5 die and thousands visit the emergency rooms for submersion related injuries. The following safety tips are provided for you from the Vidalia Fire Departments Public Education Department to make your summer swimming not only fun but safe.

How To Protect My Pool From Unscheduled Swimmers

• Install a barrier completely around your pool such as fences or walls.  If you use your house as part of your barrier then your doors leading from the house to the pool should have alarms to notify you in the event someone breaches this barrier.

• Your barrier should be at least 4 feet high, and should not include any foot or handholds that could help a young child climb over it.

• Vertical fence slates should be no more than 4 inches apart so that a child could not squeeze through them.

• For above ground pools any steps or ladders should be removed from the pool r secured when not in use.

Common Safety Rules When Using Your Pool

• Instruct baby sitters about potential pool hazards for young children and about the use or protective devices such as door alarms and latches.  Be sure to stress the need for the utmost supervision when the pool is in use.

• Always keep children within eye sight during social gatherings at or around the pool area.  Never leave children unattended NO MATTER WHAT.  You should designate a responsible adult as "pool watch" during events.

• If for some unforeseen reason a child is missing always check the pool first, remember that seconds count in the situation of a drowning.  Be sure to check the entire pool including the bottom surface as well as the surface of the water.

• Do not allow a young child in the pool without the supervision of an adult

• Do not substitute floatation devices for adult supervision.

• No dangerous horse playing should occur in or around the pool that could cause injury or drowning.

• Follow and observe posted safety markings such as no diving or jumping in shallow areas of the pool.

• Not only should those supervising swimmers know C.P.R., but also baby sitters, grandparents, and older brothers and sisters.

• Be sure that a telephone is pool side with emergency numbers in the event of an accident.  Also keep pool rescue equipment in working order and pool side.

• Never leave toys or pool play items in or around the pool when the pool is not in use.  These type of devices and attract the attention of young children when pool is unsupervised and not in use.

• Never wedge or prop open gates or doors in your pool barrier, and make sure that the alarms is turned on if your house is part of your barrier.

• Always follow manufacturer safety recommendations for your pool.

Summer months not only bring about B.B.Q. and swimming pools, but also bring about water skiing, boat riding, fishing, and water craft recreation for the entire family.  Here are a few safety tips concerning boat safety to keep you safe, and to help assure that you follow water craft regulations.

• There must be at least one PFD (Personal Floatation Device) located in the boat for each occupant.  The PFD must be of the proper size and type for each occupant of the boat. The PFD must be in good working condition (no tears, broken straps, or broken snaps).  All PFD's must be ready at hand, not locked in compartments or stored in plastic bags.

• Boats 16 feet or over must carry at least one USCG approved throwable PFD (Type IV).

• If your boat has a enclosed compartments or false floor you must carry a USCG approved fire extinguisher that is fully charge and ready for use.

• Be sure to test all lights on your boat before leaving the dock.  If you use battery operated hand lights be sure the batteries are charged and the light is in working order.  Even though you may plan on being back to the dock before dusk, bad weather or motor malfunction can always occur leaving your stranded after dusk.

• Be sure you keep a close eye on weather conditions.  Look for things such as lightening flashes, choppy water, sudden shifts in wind direction can all mean that a storm is brewing.  Always have a radio in your boat to hear weather advisories.

• Always be prepared for anything with emergency kits in your boat such as first aid kits, flash lights, maps, and flares.  Be sure that all emergency kits are kept in floating pouches in the case of an over turned or submerged vessel.

• Always tell someone where you are going and when you are planning to return.  Two way radios are advisable in the situation you have to be searched for in the event of a malfunctioned motor or if you are lost.

• Always ventilate your boat after refueling.  Sniff around enclosed compartments, motor areas, live well tanks, etc.  If your boat is equipped with a blower be sure to turn it on after refueling.

• Be familiar with the proper anchoring techniques for your boat.  Improper anchoring techniques can be fatal and cause serious injury or even death.

• Never consume drugs or alcohol before or during boating activities, especially if you are the operator of the water craft.

• Take frequent breaks when operating a boat.  Research show that hours of sun, glare, wind, vibration, and noise cause boaters fatigue, which slows reactions as much as being legally intoxicated.

• Never allow passengers to ride or gunwales, seat backs, or outside of rails.  Sudden turns can cause a passenger to be thrown over board if not properly seated.

• Be sure your boat registration is up to date and you have the current sticker displayed in the proper place.  Be sure that the current boat registration is located inside the boat with you.

• Be courteous and practice good boat launching etiquette. You may want to practice boat loading and unloading on a day that isn't too busy.

• Be sure to remove all covers and straps before approaching the launching ramp.

• Make sure that all equipment that is going to be used is loaded inside the boat before approaching the boat launch area, and be sure your plug is secured tightly in the boat.

• Have one person holding bow line and to help in launching the boat from the trailer

• Once your boat is launched be sure to follow all pier and docking area rules such as no wake speeds and distances from the pier.

• When loading your boat pull well away from pier to secure all straps, covers, and removing the plug.