Warm Weather advice for the summer from King County Public Health

Community Communication Network Health Advisory: Prepare for a Hot Summer FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION *For Dissemination*It’s officially summer and the National Weather Service predicts it will be an unusually hot one for King County. Thedanger for heat-related illnesses rises when: · outside temperatures are very high, or · there is a combination of high temperatures and high humidity, and · there is little or no cooling for several nights in a row. Public Health – Seattle & King County will push out heat warning messages through the media, social media, and to community partners whenever we receive a forecast for dangerously hot weather. We also want you to have key messages and sample social media posts now so that you can help prepare members of the community for this summer (see below). For more information: · Downloadable heat brochures and fact sheets in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Russian, and Vietnamese:http://www.kingcounty.gov/health/BeatTheHeat · Heat brochures and posters for people experiencing homelessness:http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/personal/HCHN/brochures.aspx · Extreme heat PSA - includes a video and audio message in English, Spanish, Hmong and Somali from ECHO Minnesota: http://www.echominnesota.org/library/extreme-heat-psa KEY MESSAGES ON HOW TO STAY SAFE IN HOT WEATHER Extremely hot weather can cause sickness or even death. Who is at highest risk for heat-related illness: · Older adults · Young children · People with mental illness and chronic diseases · Athletes who exercise outdoors · Outdoor workers · People experiencing homelessness During very hot weather: · Check on at-risk friends, family and neighbors twice a day. · Stay cool. Spend time in air-conditioned buildings and avoid direct contact with the sun. Many cities in King County will offer cooling centers for those who need them. · Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink more. · Never leave infants, children or pets in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked open. · Watch for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Seek medical care immediately if you know someone who experiences symptoms. Signs of heat exhaustion: · Heavy sweating · Weakness · Cold, pale, and clammy skin · Weak pulse · Fainting · Vomiting Signs of heat stroke: · High body temperature (103°F or higher) · Hot, dry skin · Rapid and strong pulse · Possible unconsciousness SAMPLE SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS YOUR ORGANIZATION CAN USE Facebook [This weekend’s] forecast calls for hot weather. Seniors, young children, people with chronic diseases, and people who work or exercise outdoors are at higher risk for heat-related illness. Please check on at-risk friends, family and neighbors when the temperatures rise! http://1.usa.gov/TpowLz Temperatures in the 80s may not seem that high, there is still a higher risk of heat-related illness since when the humidity is high and it doesn’t cool down at night. Make sure to drink plenty of liquids and stay out of the sun if you can. And never leave babies, children or pets in parked cars, even with the windows cracked!http://1.usa.gov/TpowLz Signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, weakness, clammy skin, and vomiting. Signs of heat stroke include a body temperature of 103°F or higher, hot and dry skin, a rapid pulse, and on occasion, unconsciousness. Seek medical help immediately if you know someone who shows symptoms!http://1.usa.gov/TpowLz Thanks for all you do to keep our community safe!