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Vidalia Fire Department

Vidalia Fire Department
Public Education Department
604 John Dale Drive - Vidalia, La. 71373
Phone (318) 336-6262
Captain Vanier


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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. |
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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No dangerous horse playing should occur in or around
the pool that could cause injury or drowning.
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Follow and observe posted safety markings such as no
diving or jumping in shallow areas of the pool.
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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.
Marine Safety Tips
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 n oise
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
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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.
How To Schedule Public Education Classes
To schedule public education classes for your business, organization,
school, or group please contact the Vidalia Fire Department at (318)
336-6262 and ask to speak with Captain Vanier or Barbara Crumb. Please
try to call at least 30 days in advance to schedule a class if
possible. You can also email the Vidalia Fire Department Public
Education Department by clicking the link at the top of the page.
Captain Vanier can come to your location or he can schedule the class room
for use at the fire department. The class room can hold up to 24
students comfortably. Captain Vanier does use various types of
multimedia for his presentations. The presentations are done in a
professional manner which include audience participation.
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