-> Prepare for Philadelphia Hazards -> Excessive Heat

Excessive Heat

During summer months, hot weather can be hard to take. High heat can cause health problems, especially for seniors, pregnant woman, infants, and children. You also need to be careful if you:

Have a chronic medical condition
Take certain prescription and non-prescription medications (read the labels, and talk to your doctor and pharmacist)
Are over 50 or under 5
Are obese
Have had a previous heat-related illness
Have been drinking alcohol
Use IV drugs
Work in a high heat environment
Engage in strenuous physical activity

During extreme heat conditions, the Philadelphia Health Commissioner will issue an excessive heat warning. Call the Philadelphia Corporation for the Aging HeatLine at 215-765-9040 for more information.

Follow These Tips To Stay Cool:

Stay out of the sun. When in the sun, wear sunscreen (at least SPF 15).
Avoid working or playing in the hot sun or other hot areas between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
To prevent sunburn, wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothes that cover as much skin as possible.
Use drapes, shades, louvers or awnings in your home. (Outdoor awnings or louvers can reduce the heat that enters the home by up to 80 percent.)
Wear a wide-brimmed hat or visor, or use an umbrella for shade.
Slow down. Rest in the shade or a cool place every chance you get.
Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine.
Maintain a normal diet.
Use air conditioners and fans. If you use a fan, make sure your windows are open to release trapped hot air.
Visit a friend with air conditioning or go some place cool like a mall, library, or senior center.
Take a cool shower or bath.
Read your medication labels. Some medications can cause an adverse reaction in hot weather. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you need more information.
Never leave children, pets, or those who require special care in a parked car during periods of intense summer heat.

Cooling Centers, Pools and Spray Grounds
Cooling Centers open when an excessive heat warning is issued by the Philadelphia Health Commissioner. Public swimming pools and spray grounds operated by Philadelphia Parks and Recreation will begin to open on June 22, 2011. Click on the Stay Cool Interactive Map for the location and contact information for a facility near you.

STAY COOL INTERACTIVE MAP
How to use this application to plan for the summer heat:

Locate cooling centers in your neighborhood. The Free Library of Philadelphia will have special summer hours at its branch locations from June 6, 2011 through September 30, 2011. Please call for current status and hours of operation before visiting.
Locate swimming pools and spray grounds in your neighborhood. Outdoor swimming pools operated by Philadelphia Parks and Recreation will begin to open on June 22, 2011. Please call for hours and schedules before visiting.

Private Pool safety and Requirements
Philadelphia's Department of Licenses and Inspections wants to make your pool installation as safe as possible. Download the Swimming Pool and Spa Safety Guide. If you own a temporary swimming pool (kiddie pool), keep your loved ones safe by following the Temporary Swimming Pool Requirements.

Heat-Related Illness

When the body cannot cool itself fast enough and the body’s core temperature rises, heat- related illnesses occur. Symptoms can range from mild dizziness to seizures. Here are the illnesses that extreme heat can cause.

Heat Cramps
Heat cramps are muscle pains and spasms resulting from heavy exertion. They are a warning sign that the body is having trouble coping with heat. Immediately rest and drink non-caffeinated fluids. Stretching or direct pressure can also reduce cramps. Unless very severe, heat cramps do not require emergency medical attention. However if you have heart problems or are on a low-sodium diet, seek medical attention for heat cramps.

Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion occurs when the body loses fluids through heavy sweating, and is caused by vigorous exercise or working in a hot, humid place. Symptoms include sweating; pale, clammy skin; fatigue; headache; dizziness; shallow breaths; and a weak or rapid pulse. Victims of heat exhaustion are tired but not confused. Anyone suffering from heat exhaustion should rest in a cool area, drink water or sports drinks, elevate the feet 12 inches, and seek further medical treatment in severe cases. If not treated, heat exhaustion can escalate into heat stroke.

Heat Stroke
Heat stroke (also called “sunstroke”) happens when the body’s temperature control system stops working. The body stops producing sweat; skin is flushed, hot and dry; and body temperature may be elevated. Body temperature may rise to 106F or higher in 10-15 minutes, which can result in death or permanent disability. The victim may also be confused, develop seizures, breathe shallowly and have a weak or rapid pulse. This is the most serious heat-related illness, and people experiencing these symptoms should get immediate medical attention. In an emergency, dial 9-1-1. While waiting for help, move the person to a cool area, remove excess clothing, spray with water, and fan the person.

Sunburn

Sunburns render the skin red, painful and abnormally warm after prolonged sun exposure. Although the discomfort is usually minor and healing occurs in about a week, more severe sunburn may require medical attention.

Dehydration

Dehydration occurs when the level of water in the body has been reduced. Chemical substances in the body such as salt and potassium fall to an irregular level. The main symptoms include dizziness, lethargy and dry mouth. A loss of appetite may also occur.

Weather Words

Excessive Heat Excessive heat occurs from a combination of high temperatures (significantly above normal) and high humidity. At certain levels, the human body cannot maintain proper internal temperatures and may experience heat stroke. The "Heat Index" is a measure of the effect of the combined elements on the body.

Excessive Heat Outlook Issued when the potential exists for an excessive heat event in the next 3-7 days. The purpose of issuing an Outlook is to provide information to those who need considerable lead time to prepare for and Excessive Heat Event, such as public health officials, emergency managers, and public utilities.

Excessive Heat Watch Issued when conditions are favorable for an Excessive Heat Event in the next 12-48 hours. This is used when the risk of an Excessive Heat Event has increased but its occurrence and time frame are still uncertain. The purpose is to allow those who need to set plans in motion enough lead time to do so.

Excessive Heat Warning/Advisory Either of these may be issued when an Excessive Heat Event is expected in the next 36 hours. These are issued when an event is occurring, is imminent, or has a very high probability of occurring. A Warning is used for conditions posing a threat to life or property. An Advisory is for less serious conditions that cause significant discomfort and if caution is not taken, could lead to a threat of life and/or property.

Heat Index The Heat Index (HI), or the "Apparent Temperature", quantifies how the humidity of the air affects human comfort and the stress that the combination of heat and humidity puts on the human body. The HI is intended to provide a sense of what the air temperature "feels like" when humidity is taken into account.

Heat Wave The National Weather Service defines a heat wave as a period of at least three days when the temperature reaches 90F or higher.

Ozone Advisory Issued when ground level ozone is high. People should limit their outdoor activity and those with respiratory problems (such as asthma) should be especially careful and avoid strenuous activity.