As we face some extreme tempoeratures this week, a reminder to all to stay hydrated, cool and safe. In the event of a heat illness, never delay in contacting 911. Heat Stroke can be fatal.
Most people don’t realize that children are extremely vulnerable. The body temperature of children rises 3 – 5 times faster than adults, and as a result, children are much more vulnerable to heat stroke.
The elderly are also extremely vulnerable. Hospital records reveal that the majority of heat stroke patients are the elderly and poor who live in inner cities. Two-thirds of the cases are associated with hypertension, diabetes, and alcoholism. More than half of the victims were taking medications that affected their ability to handle the heat.
Another area of concern in the extreme heat is for our pets. Animals should be kept indoors as much as possible during periods of excessive heat.
If an animal is kept outside, they MUST have access to plenty of clean, cool water and shade.Some tips for keeping your dog cool outside: provide access to a kiddie pool filled with cool, clean water, wet your dog down with cool (not cold) water every hour and provide ice cubes in your dog’s water bowl.
Signs of heat-induced illness include excessive panting, disorientation, lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea. If you see any of these signs, get your pet to the vet immediately!
In the absence of Chad Snow, blog posted by:
April Lang-Snow, Business Manager @ Snow and Carpio, PLC