With dangerously high levels of heat forecast across the state in the coming days, health officials are warning Illinoisans to take preventive actions to avoid heat-related illnesses. Throughout the week, heat index forecasts will approach 100 degrees which could lead to health complications. Exposure to extreme heat, and especially prolonged exposure, can cause heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is urging Illinoisans to take precautions and protect themselves, their families and their pets from overheating and heat-related illnesses. This is critically important for very young children, people who are pregnant and those who are older. Public health officials also remind Illinoisans to check on the well-being of vulnerable people who live alone without air conditioning.
You can protect yourself from heatstroke and heat exhaustion with these basic steps:
- Stay in an air-conditioned area during the hottest hours of the day. If you don't have air conditioning in your home, go to a public place such as a shopping mall or a library to stay cool. Or check for cooling centers at the Keep Cool Illinois website.
- Wear light, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing, as it reflects heat and sunlight.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water often and don't wait until you are thirsty. Avoid beverages that can dehydrate you like those that contain caffeine or alcohol.
- Avoid unnecessary hard work or activities if you are outside or in a building without air-conditioning, especially during times of peak heat from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Avoid unnecessary sun exposure. When in the sun, wear a hat, preferably with a wide brim.
- Slow down. Strenuous activities should be reduced, eliminated, or rescheduled to the coolest time of the day. Those at risk should stay in the coolest available place, not necessarily indoors.
Here are some symptoms of heatstroke to look out for:
- Body temperature over 103 degrees Fahrenheit
- Difficulty breathing
- An elevated heart rate
- Skin hot to the touch
- Feeling dizziness, nausea or disorientation
If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, call 911 immediately. In the meantime, you can use ice packs on the neck and underarms and drink cool water to lower your body temperature.
This is also the time of year when UV rays are strongest and can cause severe sunburns. To avoid sunburns, wear sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher and wear protective clothing, including long-sleeved shirts, long pants and a wide-brimmed hat.
Heat can also adversely affect the health of pets. To keep your pets safe, never leave them in a parked car and provide plenty of fresh drinking water in a shaded area.
Additional information about heat related illnesses and how to avoid them can be found at the IDPH site for Hot Weather: Understanding and Preventing Heat-Related Illnesses, and also on the following National Weather Service heat safety website.
Ready Illinois, the program run by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, provides information on how to protect yourself and your family at this site: Extreme Heat.
