Hot Weather Safety Tips

The warm weather has arrived, with highs expected near the 90-degree mark in Fairlawn today. While you might want to start working on your tan or outdoor chores, health experts remind the public of the dangers of excessive heat exposure. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends older adults stay indoors to avoid excessive heat exposure. 

"During this period, more people in this country died from extreme heat than from hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes combined," according to the CDC.

“When it’s very warm, it effects older adults more than younger ones, especially if they’re 50 and older,” said Chris Partis, spokeperson for the Summit County Health District.

“They need to be real careful about getting too hot, so if they’re home in the air conditioning, they need to stay inside, if not, they need to get somewhere where it is, including malls, grocery stores, senior centers and the library, especially during the day.” 

Tips from Summit County Health District on How to Stay Safe:

• Should turn on the air conditioner or go where it’s air-conditioned—a shopping mall, grocery store, senior center, movie theatre, museum, or library.  (Fans aren’t enough.)

• Should Not walk long distances, lift heavy objects, or do other strenuous things.

• Should drink lots of water and other clear drinks that don’t contain alcohol or caffeine (these can “dry you out”).
•  Remember: If your urine is a light yellow color, you’re drinking enough water.  If it’s darker yellow, you need to drink more.

• Should take cool showers, baths, or sponge baths.

• Should wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.  A good choice is clothing made of natural fabrics like cotton.

• Should wear hats.

• Should stay out of the sun.

The Bath Township Fire Department cautions that the elderly, infants and young children, pregnant and nursing women, those with pre-existing illnesses are most prone to heat related problems.

Look out for the following signs of heat-related trouble.

• Heat Exhaustion Signs – Heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea and/or vomiting, fainting. The skin may be cool and moist. The victim's pulse rate will be fast and weak, and breathing will be fast and shallow.
• Heat Stroke  - Warning signs of heat stroke vary but may include red, hot and dry skin (no sweating), a dry swollen tongue, rapid pulse, throbbing headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea and eventual unconsciousness.  This is a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately.