News Release: Lane County Public Health Reminds Community Members to Prepare for Labor Day Heat & Smoke
Lane
County, Ore. – Temperatures are forecasted to be in the upper 90s
over the holiday weekend and along with the high temperatures,air quality is
likely to dip back into the “unhealthy” category. Due to the combination
of heat, smoke, and the fact that people all over Lane County will likely be heading
outdoors, Lane County Public Health is advising community members to take
special precautions in order to keep themselves and their families safe and
healthy.
“When
we see the temperatures start creeping up near 100 degrees and
the air quality is poor, routine activities and chores can become
dangerous, especially for the very old, very young, and individuals with
chronic lung conditions,” said Lane County Chief Health Officer, Dr.
Patrick Luedtke.
Additional
factors which can exacerbate the effect high temperatures and poor air
quality can have on the body include:
• Obesity
• Fever
• Dehydration
• Prescription
drug use
• Illicit
drug use (e.g., cocaine and amphetamine)
• Heart
disease
• Mental
illness
• Poor
circulation
• Preexisting sunburn
• Alcohol
use
• Exertion
LCPH advises
the following for avoiding Heat-Related Illness:
Wear
Appropriate Clothing: Choose lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting
clothing.
Stay
Cool Indoors: Stay in an air-conditioned place as much as possible,
especially from noon to about 7pm. If your home does not have air
conditioning, go to the shopping mall or public library (for a complete list of
community cooling stations, see below)—even a few hours spent in air
conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat.*
*Keep
in mind: Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the
high 90s, they may not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or
bath or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.
Use your stove and oven less to maintain a cooler temperature in your home.
Schedule
Outdoor Activities Carefully: Try to limit your outdoor activity to
when it’s coolest, like morning and evening hours. Rest often in shady
areas so that your body has a chance to recover.
Pace
Yourself: Cut down on exercise during the heat. If you’re not
accustomed to working or exercising in a hot environment, start slowly and pick
up the pace gradually. If exertion in the heat makes your heart pound and
leaves you gasping for breath, STOP all activity. Get into a cool area or into
the shade, and rest, especially if you become lightheaded, confused, weak, or
faint.
Wear
Sunscreen: Sunburn affects your body’s ability to cool down and can
make you dehydrated. If you must go outdoors, protect yourself from the sun by
wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15
or higher 30 minutes prior to going out. Continue to reapply it according to
the package directions.
Do
Not Leave Children or Pets in Cars: Cars can quickly heat up to
dangerous temperatures, even with a window cracked open. While anyone left in a
parked car is at risk, infants and children are especially at risk of heat
stroke and dying. When traveling with children or pets, remember to do the
following:
•Never
leave infants, children or pets in a parked car, even if the windows are
cracked open.
•To
remind yourself that a child is in the car, keep a stuffed animal in the car
seat. When the child is buckled in, place the stuffed animal in the front with
the driver.
•When
leaving your car, check to be sure everyone is out of the car. Do not overlook
any children who have fallen asleep in the car.
Drink
Plenty of Fluids: Drink more fluids, regardless of how active you are.
Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.
*Stay
away from sugary and alcoholic drinks—these may actually cause you to lose more
body fluid. Also avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach
cramps. In some persons caffeinated drinks may also increase the risk of
heat-related illnesses. If you are not a regular user of caffeinated
drinks it may be best to avoid them during extreme heat events.
Replace
Salt and Minerals: Heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from the
body that need to be replaced. A sports drink can replace the salt and minerals
you lose in sweat.
Keep
Your Pets Hydrated: Provide plenty of fresh water for your pets, and
leave the water in a shady area. Check their bowls often as they will
drink more on a hot day.
Check
for Updates: Check local news or online weather information for
extreme heat alerts and safety tips and to learn about any cooling shelters in
your area.
Know
the Signs: Learn the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses and
how to treat them.
Use
a Buddy System: When working in the heat, monitor the condition of
your co-workers and have someone do the same for you. Heat-induced illness can
cause a person to become confused or lose consciousness. If you are 65
years of age or older, have a friend or relative call to check on you twice a
day during a heat wave. If you know someone in this age group, check on
them at least twice a day.
Monitor
Those at High Risk: Although anyone at any time can suffer from
heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others:
•Infants
and young children
•People
65 years of age or older
•People
who are overweight
•People
who overexert during work or exercise
•People
who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure,
or who take certain medications, such as for depression, insomnia, or poor
circulation
Visit
adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat
exhaustion or heat stroke. Infants and young children, of course, need much
more frequent watching.
LANE
COUNTY COOLING STATION LOCATIONS:
Most communities in
Lane County have at least one public place where community members can go
during the hottest time of the day to cool down. For a complete list,
please visit:
LCPH
advises the special considerations due to the likelihood of Poor Air Quality:
● Individuals
who have preexisting lung conditions or who are very young or very old are
advised to stay indoors if possible and close windows and doors
● During periods
of poor air quality, everyone is encouraged to avoid strenuous outdoor
activity.
●
People exposed to smoky conditions and who suffer from asthma or other
respiratory
problems should
follow their breathing management plans or contact their healthcare
providers.
●
Use high efficiency particulate air filters (HEPA filters) or electrostatic
precipitator filters
(ESP
filters) if you can. These can help clean indoor air.
People
who must be outdoors may be considering the use of masks to help protect their
lungs from wildfire smoke. Masks can create a false sense of security if not
properly selected, fitted and used.
Here
are a few things you should know if you are considering the use of a mask:
• Avoid
the use of surgical masks, bandanas and other common masks. Only
specialized masks designed to filter out the tiny particles in smoky air can be
effective. These are labeled as NIOSH-95 or NIOSH -100.
• Most
people will find it difficult to use these specialized masks, called
particulate
respirators,
in a way that provides protection.
• Selecting
the correct respirator size can be difficult.
• The
fit of the respirator must be tested to make sure air does not leak around the
sides.
• Leaking
air means that exposure to smoke can still occur.
• Facial
hair can cause the mask to not seal correctly.
• The
masks can be uncomfortable. Even healthy adults may find that the increased
effort required for breathing makes it uncomfortable to wear a
respirator for more than short periods of time. Breathing may be even
more difficult for those with heart and lung conditions.
• Decisions
on whether to use respirators or masks as personal protection for people who
must work outside should be made with the employer.
Contact:
Jason Davis
Lane County H&HS
Public Information Officer