As summer heat continues, make sure you are taking steps to stay cool.
You should also know the signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
“With heat exhaustion, you’re going to have heavy sweating and cool, pale, clammy skin,” said Radcliff Deputy Fire Marshal Tommy Crane. “Your pulse is gonna be fast, but weak. You could have some nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, even start to get a headache, and even at some points passing out.”
Crane says the symptoms of heatstroke are different, with body temperature reaching 103 degrees or higher.
“You’re looking at hot, red, dry skin,” Crane said. “It could be damp, but most of the time it’s hot, red, or dry. A fast but strong pulse, a throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and then a loss of consciousness.”
For heat exhaustion, get the person to someplace cool, start getting them fluids, and use cold compresses to bring their temperature down. For heatstroke, the person requires immediate medical attention.
“Call 911, move the person to a cooler location, cool them using cooling cloths,” Crane said. “Don’t give them anything to drink. Just try to get them to start to lower that body temperature. When the EMS gets there, they’re going to start to do their thing as well.”
If you are working outside, try to work during the cooler hours earlier in the morning or later in the evening. Drink plenty of fluids, and take breaks in shaded areas.
