Hot Weather Safety in Florida

All Hazards Guide in Web Format!

Sources of up to date heatwave information:
 

ABC News

CNN

Fox News

MS/NBC

For detailed information on avoiding, recognizing and treating heat related illnesses, contact your health care professional.  If you experience symptoms of heat related illnesses seek prompt medical attention!

Here in the subtropics, we expect hot weather for five to six months of the year.  In Florida, the waters of the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico usually prevent temperature from reaching much above 100 degrees.  Our northern friends tell us: 'It's not the heat, it's the humidity!'  Either way, hot weather presents serious health risks, and requires you to take action to protect yourself from potentially deadly heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

From the NWS, Newport, NC website:

"Human bodies dissipate heat by varying the rate and depth of blood circulation, by losing water through the skin and sweat glands, and - as the last extremity is reached - by panting, when blood is heated above 98.6 degrees. The heart begins to pump more blood, blood vessels dilate to accommodate the increased flow, and the bundles of tiny capillaries threading through the upper layers of skin are put into operation. The body's blood is circulated closer to the skin's surface, and excess heat drains off into the cooler atmosphere. At the same time, water diffuses through the skin as perspiration.  The skin handles about 90 percent of the body's heat dissipating function. Sweating, by itself, does nothing to cool the body, unless the water is removed by evaporation - and high relative humidity retards evaporation.

The evaporation process itself works this way: the heat energy required to evaporate the sweat is extracted from the body, thereby cooling it. Under conditions of high temperature (above 90 degrees) and high relative humidity, the body is doing everything it can to maintain 98.6 degrees inside. The heart is pumping a torrent of blood through dilated circulatory vessels; the sweat glands are pouring liquid - including essential dissolved chemicals, like sodium and chloride - onto the surface of the skin.

Heat disorders generally have to do with a reduction or collapse of the body's ability to shed heat by circulatory changes and sweating, or a chemical (salt) imbalance caused by too much sweating.   When heat gain exceeds the level the body can remove, or when the body cannot compensate for fluids and salt lost through perspiration, the temperature of the body's inner core begins to rise and heat-related illness may develop. Ranging in severity, heat disorders share one common feature: the individual has overexposed or overexercised for his age and physical condition in the existing thermal environment. Sunburn, with its ultraviolet radiation burns, can significantly retard the skin's ability to shed excess heat. Studies indicate that, other things being equal, the severity of heat disorders tend to increase with age - heat cramps in a 17-year-old may be heat exhaustion in someone 40, and heat stroke in a person over 60. Acclimatization has to do with adjusting sweat-salt concentrations, among other things. The idea is to lose enough water to regulate body temperature. with the least possible chemical disturbance."

Heat Index & Heat Disorders

80 - 90 degrees: fatigue possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity.
90 - 105 degrees: sunstroke, heat cramps and heat exhaustion possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity.
105 - 130 degrees: sunstroke, heat cramps or heat exhaustion likely and heatstroke possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity.
130 degrees or higher: heatstroke/sunstroke highly likely with continued exposure.

SUNBURN: Redness and pain. In severe cases swelling of skin, blisters, fever, headaches. Ointments for mild cases if blisters appear and do not break. If breaking occurs, apply dry sterile dressing. Serious, extensive cases should be seen by physician.

HEAT CRAMPS: Painful spasms usually in muscles of legs and abdomen possible. Heavy sweating. Firm pressure on cramping muscles, or gentlemassage to relieve spasm. Give sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue use.

HEAT EXHAUSTION: Heavy sweating, weakness, skin cold, pale, and clammy. Pulse thready. Normal temperature possible. Fainting and vomiting. Get victim out of sun. Lay down and loosen clothing. Apply cool, wet cloths. Fan or move victim to air conditioned room. Sips of water. If nausea occurs. discontinue use. If vomiting continues, seek immediate medical attention.

HEAT STROKE or SUN STROKE: High body temperature (106 degrees F or higher). Hot dry skin. Rapid and strong pulse. Possible unconsciousness. HEAT STROKE IS A SEVERE MEDICAL EMERGENCY SUMMON EMERGENCY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE OR GET THE VICTIM TO A HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY. DELAY CAN BE FATAL. Move the victim to a cooler environment. Reduce body temperature with cold bath or sponging. Use extreme caution. Remove clothing, use fans and air conditioners. If temperature rises again, repeat process. Do not give fluids.

PERSONAL HOT WEATHER TIPS:

• Slow down.  Eliminate or cut back on strenuous activities or reschedule to the coolest time of the day. If you're at risk stay in the coolest available place, not necessarily indoors.

 
• Dress for the weather.  Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing which reflects heat and sunlight, and helps your body maintain normal temperatures.

 
• Eat for the weather.  Foods (like proteins) that increase metabolic heat production also increase water loss.

 
• Drink plenty of water or other non-alcohol fluids. Your body needs water to keep cool. Drink plenty of fluids even if you don't feel thirsty. Persons who:
• have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease,
• are on fluid restrictive diets, or
• have a problem with fluid retention

 
should consult a physician before increasing their consumption of fluids.
 
• Do not drink alcoholic beverages.

 
• Do not take salt tablets unless specified by a physician. Persons on salt restrictive diets should consult a physician before increasing their salt intake.

 
• Spend more time in air-conditioned places. Air conditioning in homes and other buildings markedly reduces danger from the heat. If you cannot afford an air conditioner, spending some time each day (during hot weather) in an air conditioned environment affords some protection.

 
• Don't get too much sun. Sunburn makes the job of heat dissipation that much more difficult. Dress in layered clothing and wear some kind of head cover.

 
• Use your air conditioner.  If you are on a limited income and are concerned about the cost of electricity, check with local social or senior services agencies to see what kind of help may be available.

 
• Check on the elderly and infirmed.

Other sources of information:

NOAA: Heat wave - a National Problem

FEMA Backgrounder: Heat
FEMA Fact Sheet:  Heat
The American Red Cross: Heat related illnesses
Project SafeSide: During a heat wave
Emergency.com: Heatwave alert
Heat emergencies course
The importance of hydration
SMU: Heat stroke help
The Virtual Naval Hospital: How to beat the summer heat
Dr. Reddy's Pediatric Practice: Heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke
Cooler heads prevail: Heat stroke, dehydration and prevention
Emedicine.com: Heat exhaustion and heat stroke
BabyCenter.com, Babies and heat stroke: 0 - 12 months | 12 - 36 months
Pets: Heat stroke in dogs and cats

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