Tag: highlight

Pictured left to right: Betsy Looney (VASN President), Na-Keisha White (VDOE School Health Coordinator), Joanna Pitts (VDH School Health Nurse Consultant), Tammy Miller (School Nurse Coordinator, Westmoreland County Public Schools), Angela Knupp (Student Health Services Specialist, Harrisonburg City Public Schools), Lisa Coons (VDOE Superintendent), Shea Pugh (School Nurse, Isle of Wight County Public Schools), Tonishia Short (VDH School Health Special Projects Manager), Jillian Waller (Virginia Tech Program Coordinator), and Joseph Wharff (Director, VDOE Office of Behavioral Health and Wellness).

Each morning, Shea, a veteran school nurse, greets her ninth through twelfth-grade students. She listens to them share stories about their plans, activities, and recent accomplishments. The Isle of Wight County Public Schools nurse is known for inspiring her students. When Shea is not listening to her students’ stories, she is providing school health services, such as emergency first aid and daily medications.

Recently, Shea said she has been providing mental health support. The 15-year veteran says there has been an increase in students visiting her clinic with symptoms of anxiety. “When a student comes in holding their chest, hyperventilating, and saying their chest hurts, it is easy to start down the road of assessing cardiac issues,” said the nurse. “But what if there is more to assess?”

Shea partnered with experts from the Virginia Department of Health, Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (VA-AAP), the REACH Institute, registered school nurses, and the Virginia Department of Education, to develop a Mental Health Toolkit. The toolkit equips nurses with strategies to support students with social, emotional, and mental health needs.

During the annual Summer Institute for School Nursing (SISN) Conference, the Virginia Department of Health collaborated with the Virginia Department of Education, VA-AAP, and the REACH Institute to train 242 registered school nurses to use the newly created Mental Health Toolkit. The comprehensive resource is a unique tool for nurses. It will be added to school clinics during the 2024-2025 school year.

Shea has confidence that the Mental Health Toolkit will provide school nurses across the Commonwealth with the foundation they need to administer mental health first aid. Shea says it is a helpful and reliable tool.

September is National Preparedness Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. As evidenced by the most recent Tropical Storm Debby that came through Virginia and the CrowdStrike outage, it’s imperative to be ready with a preparedness plan before the next emergency hits, whether its natural or manmade.

When creating your emergency plan, remember these important tips from Ready.gov:

• Build A Kit – During and after an emergency, you may need to survive on your own for several days. Being prepared means having your own food, water and other supplies to last for several days. A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency including your pets.
  Make sure your emergency kit is stocked with the items on the emergency supply checklist. Once you take a look at the basic items consider what unique needs your family might have

• Make a Plan – Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to know which types of disasters could affect your area. Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find.
  • Prepare Your Pets for Disasters – Your pets are an important member of your family, so they need to be included in your family’s emergency plan.
  • Determine any special assistance you may need and include plans for that assistance in your emergency plan. If you undergo routine treatments administered by a clinic or hospital, find out their emergency plans and work with them to identify back-up service providers.

Business leaders and employees can do a lot to prepare for the most likely hazards they will face in the workplace. Ready Business helps you to create a preparedness plan to get ready for what comes next. 

• Create a Business Continuity Plan to manage business disruption during an emergency. The goal of a Continuity of Operations plan is to reduce loss of life, minimize damage, protect essential assets, maintain a succession in leadership, reduce the disruption of key operations and achieve a timely recovery.
  Learn more about how to put together and test a business continuity plan with the following Business Continuity Plan Supporting Ready.gov Resources:
  • Business Continuity Plan Situation Manual
  • Business Continuity Plan Test Exercise Planner Instructions
  • Business Continuity Plan Test Facilitator and Evaluator Handbook 

When Recovering from a disaster, safety is a primary issue, as well as mental and physical well-being. Disaster recovery is a gradual process. If assistance is available, knowing how to access it makes the process faster and less stressful. Post-storm cleanup and power outages may cause situations that require additional safety measures.

• Post-storm cleanup – After a storm has passed, failure to remove contaminated materials from your home can cause health risks. If there is flooding along with a storm, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) advises homeowners that water must be removed as quickly as possible since it may contain material from overflowing sewage systems.
  • Illness Prevention During Storm Cleanup – To help prevent the spread of diseases that can cause illness it is important to wash your hands often, especially during cleanup efforts after a storm. Debris, floodwater and other remnants of the storm may harbor disease-causing bacteria and viruses.
• Power Outages – It’s important to be prepared if you experience a power outage during an emergency. Take inventory of items you need that require electricity. Keep your cellphone and other portable devices charged ahead of time and buy a backup charging device to power electronics.
  • Know Your Medical Needs – Talk to your medical provider about a power outage plan for medical devices powered by electricity and refrigerated medicines. Find out how long medication can be stored at higher temperatures and get specific guidance for any medications that are critical for life.
  • Private Wells and Onsite Sewage Systems – Power outages can cause problems for homeowners with wells and/or certain onsite sewage systems. If your home is served by a well, the well pump will not work when the power goes out. Keep sufficient potable water on hand for drinking and cooking.
  • Remember to keep generators and other alternate power/heat sources outside, at least 20 feet away from windows and doors and protected from moisture; and NEVER try to power the house by plugging a generator into a wall outlet.
  • Portable generators can cause carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, electrical shock/electrocution or fire. Please make sure you know how to properly use a generator before turning it on.
  • Food Safety – If you lost power, discard any perishable food that has been above 40°F for two hours or more. Just remember, “When in doubt, throw it out!”

 More Emergency Preparedness Resources:

• VDH Severe Weather Preparedness
• Learn how to be ready for an emergency or disaster – Ready.gov.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Emergency Preparedness and Response: https://emergency.cdc.gov/.
• Check out the CDC’s Preparedness and Safety Messaging for Hurricanes, Flooding, and Similar Disasters guide, which provides preparedness and response resource for all jurisdictions to use before, during, and after a response.

International Overdose Awareness Week is an observance adopted to raise awareness of substance use disorder and the challenges that exist for those impacted. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) the hope is that the observance will “combat stigmatization, promote treatment, celebrate recovery and strengthen collective efforts to prevent overdose deaths.” The week is highlighted by International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, which recognizes people who go unseen.

Drug use and drug addiction affect all communities in Virginia. The most recent statistics show that in 2022, there were 2,490 deaths due to drug overdose. Also, during that year, nearly 23,000 Virginians received drug overdose related hospital emergency care.

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has been actively working with the Governor’s office and other state agencies by providing services and programs to help people struggling with substance abuse. The Governor’s Right Help, Right Now initiative is focused on providing behavioral health support that includes the following focus areas.

• Same day care for behavioral health crisis
• Reduction of criminalization of mental health
• Expand capacity to serve those who need behavioral health services
• Support for substance use disorders and overdose
• Strengthening the behavioral health workforce.

VDH has recently created a new Overdose Prevention website that provides a comprehensive list of programs and services for people in need. The website highlights harm reduction services—support to help keep people safe and reduce the chance of getting infections, overdosing, and death. Some examples of services include information about how to obtain fentanyl test strips. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that can be purchased as a prescription but is also used illegally. The test strips can detect whether fentanyl is in something that you are using.

VDH also provides education and information on a medication called naloxone. Naloxone can reverse an opioid overdose. The medication is available to support community partners who serve those struggling with addiction. The medication may be obtained over the counter or from your healthcare provider. The Department of Health and Developmental Services provides training on how to use naloxone. The Rapid REVIVE training teaches participants how to recognize an overdose and how to use the naloxone medication to save a life.

Mosquitoes are the bane of summertime life. Not only are they annoying and irritating, but they are also one of the world’s most dangerous spreaders of disease. West Nile virus, La Crosse encephalitis, Eastern equine encephalitis, malaria, and a host of other diseases can stem from a simple mosquito bite.

Yet as dangerous as they are, controlling them can be rather simple and straightforward. Therefore, on World Mosquito Day, observed every Aug. 20, we shine a spotlight on these tiny insects, the big problems they can cause, and the simple steps people can take to control them.

Worldwide, for example, malaria claims up to half a million lives. Here in Virginia, the most common disease mosquitos are known to transmit through their bites is the West Nile virus (WNV). When you’ve been infected by the West Nile virus, the symptoms can include a headache, fever, joint pain, a rash, and vomiting. Mild WNV cases can last from 3-6 days, while moderate to severe cases can linger from weeks to up to three to six months.  Some people may die from the illness or be left neurologically impaired for life.

And it’s looking as if the West Nile season is getting underway earlier than usual this year in Virginia. Surveillance programs in the local health districts have already detected the presence of West Nile virus in local mosquito populations in Central, Eastern, and Northern Virginia.

The public can take several steps to protect themselves from mosquitoes and the diseases they spread.

One of the most obvious steps is to wear long sleeves and pants and limit the amount of exposed skin when you’re outside in the evening and at night.  And as the prime vectors of WNV only fly and bite from dusk to dawn and have a tendency to fly through open, unscreened windows to bite sleeping people indoors, one should not sleep with windows open unless they are well screened.

And when you are outside in the evening hours, consider wearing mosquito repellents on bare arms, legs, neck and other exposed areas of skin. Effective repellents include those containing one or more of the following repellents:

• DEET
• Picaridin
• IR3535
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
• Para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undercanone.

At night, be sure to close your home’s windows, or make sure that your window screens are closed and in good condition.

Check outside your home property to be sure there are no containers of standing water, as these can serve as the perfect breeding grounds for the mosquito species that can carry WNV. Things like backyard wading pools, ornamental ponds, bird baths, neglected swimming pools, flowerpot trays, buckets, and used tires can all serve as sources of standing water for mosquitoes to breed in.  Bird baths, ornamental ponds and wading pools should either be treated, dumped / drained and rinsed / washed out on a weekly basis before being refilled.  Containers of water that cannot be dumped or drained should be regularly treated with mosquito larvicide dunks.

You may learn more about mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases at the Virginia Department of Health website.

Headed to the Beach, River, or Lake this Summer?
Follow theses tips to keep you and your loved ones safe 

As the temperatures rise, many people head to the water to cool off. Make sure you take some safety precautions to ensure the water fun continues through the summer. 

First, make sure you know how to swim! Drowning is a leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 4 and the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths among children 5-14. While children are at highest risk, anyone can drown. In fact, in Virginia, a resident dies from drowning every four days! 

Always swim with a buddy and make sure you know the signs of drowning. Close supervision of children in the water is critical. Remember, children do not always struggle in the water. They can drown without making a sound. 

Headed to the beach or the lake?  Natural bodies of water, like lakes, rivers, reservoirs, bays and the ocean, can pose additional risks like tides, currents, drop offs, limited visibility, and animals. Make sure you know the waters you swim in and never swim alone! Wear a life jacket and remember these tips to stay safe: 

• Visiting a creek or pond you don’t know? Don’t dive or jump! Hidden rocks and snags can injure you.  
• Dead animals near water are a sign of possible harmful algal blooms (HABs). Don’t swim where you see them!  
• Be especially careful when swimming with children. Murky water and unexpected drop-offs can increase the risk of drowning. 
• Watch out for riptides and strong currents at the beach, especially after stormy weather.  
• Don’t swim in rivers with strong currents and near dams. You could get pinned under the water. Choose calm areas to swim. 
• If the water level is up, don’t swim! Rainwater can cause sewer overflows and wash animal waste into the water. Stay out of the water for a few days after a heavy rain. 
• Swimming is not advised for people or pets, if the water: 
  • Is discolored. 
  • Is murky. 
  • Has an odor. 
  • Has a film on the surface. 

“When in doubt – get out” – if the water conditions change, or you’re getting tired, or something isn’t right, get out of the water. 

Additionally, exposure to any natural body of water represents a possible health risk, particularly swallowing untreated water or swimming with open wounds. Children under the age of five, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of contracting illness. 

Consider the following steps to prevent getting sick from natural bodies of water:

Before visiting:

• Check online before visiting. Check to see if the area is currently monitored, is under an advisory, or has been closed for health or safety reasons. See the following for possible advisories:
  • www.SwimHealthyVA.com for Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) and coastal beach advisories.
  • The Swim Guide for Citizen Monitoring Group results.
• Avoid swimming for three days after a heavy rain. Germs can come from overflowing sewage, polluted storm water, and runoff from land.  

While visiting:

• Avoid going in the water: 
  • if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea or if you have cuts or open wounds.
  • near storm drains (pipes that drain polluted water from streets).
  • if there is a green film on the surface. Keep pets out as well. This film may mean that an algal bloom and some algal toxins are present. These toxins can make people and pets sick.
  • near the vicinity of livestock.
• Never swallow untreated water. Natural bodies of water might contain germs and contaminants, which can cause illness.
• Keep sand away from your mouth and children’s mouths. Sand contains germs that can cause illness if swallowed.
• Do not poop in the water.
  • Take kids on bathroom breaks and check diapers in bathrooms or diaper-changing areas.
• Wash your hands after using the bathroom and before preparing and eating food. This tip is particularly important if you have been playing in or touching sand. 

After visiting:

• Shower or bathe after swimming to wash off possible germs and contaminants.  
• Immediately wash wounds and cuts thoroughly with soap and clean running water.  

For people with boats, it is extremely important to use the proper methods to dispose human waste. Always discharge boat sewage at marinas with a pump-out unit or dump station. Here is a list of Pump-out locations around Virginia. Check out these FAQs for more information! 

For recommendations on healthy practices during water activities, see www.swimhealthyva.com and CDC’s How to Safely Visit Oceans, Lakes, and Rivers website.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is kicking of its 9^th annual Tracking Awareness Week today as a way to highlight the National Environmental Tracking Program’s mission to “provide information from a nationwide network of integrated health and environmental data that drives actions to improve community health.”

The CDC will be hosting a free webinar Monday through Friday at 2pm EDT and each day will highlight different features of the national website, including demos for the data tools to empower you to be a DATA EXPLORER!

In addition, the Virginia Department of Health, in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will soon be launching the Virginia Environmental Health Tracking Program website! Information about asthma, air quality, COPD, and climate will be included, with more topics to come in the near future.

Be looking for an announcement in the coming weeks and get ready to…

• have the tools to find out about environmental health issues relevant to you and your family
• have the knowledge to make positive improvements in the community where you live
• have health data and environmental data all in one place

We’re excited to provide Virginia with a comprehensive, easy-to-use resource that will empower you to make informed decisions for your family, as well as your community!

To join the free webinar each, day, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/environmental-health-tracking/php/about/tracking-awareness-week.html#:~:text=CDC’s%20Environmental%20Public%20Health%20Tracking,work%20of%20the%20Tracking%20Program

Written by Nyny Nguyen, VDH Intern

It is that time of year where we celebrate that red, white, and blue with loved ones, friends, and outdoor cookouts! As we prepare for some fireworks, barbecue grilling, and picnics please remember these important food safety reminders so you can have a safe and enjoyable 4th of July.  

1. Wash Your Hands with soap before, during, and after preparing foods, including raw meat, poultry, and seafood.
2. Preheat and Clean Your Grill as this eliminates any remnants from previous sessions. Scrub thoroughly to ensure a clean cooking surface. Also ensure work surfaces and utensils are clean before and after cooking.
3. Defrost Thoroughly and Safely. Thaw your poultry, beef, fish, pork, and other meats safely in the refrigerator.
4. Avoid Cross Contamination. Clean or switch your cooking utensils after touching raw meat, poultry, and seafood.
5. Ensure Food is Fully Cooked to kill harmful germs. Use a food thermometer to make sure your food is cooked to the right internal temperature.
   • 145°F – Whole cuts of beef, pork, or lamb (let rest 3 minutes before serving)
   • 145°F – Fish (whole or fillet)
   • 160°F – Hamburgers, sausage, and other ground beef, pork, or lamb
   • 165°F – Chicken, turkey, and other poultry
6. Keep Food in Safe Temperatures. Perishable food items should not be left outside for more than two hours. If it is above 90oF, chill food within one hour. Keep your food in coolers or containers with a cold source, such as ice or frozen gel packs.
7. Store Leftovers Properly. Use airtight containers and store in the refrigerator or freezer within two hours of cooking to avoid bacterial growth. If it is above 90oF, chill food within one hour. Leftovers can usually last up to 3 – 4 days in the refrigerator or 3 – 4 months in the freezer.

By following these few key recommendations and taking necessary precautions, we can all contribute to a safe and enjoyable holiday.

As we enter the warm summer months, there are many exciting events that bring us outdoors to enjoy great food, fun and sun! That’s why it’s important to remember these safety tips when enjoying all the festivities that the summer has to offer.

Extreme Heat and Heat-Related Illness

When outside, remember that extreme heat can be deadly, so you need to be aware of the risks of heat-related illness. Prolonged exposure to heat can cause cramping, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and even death.

Stay hydrated and seek cool temperature environments until the heat subsides. An important precaution that people should take is to schedule or reschedule activities and outdoor work until the coolest parts of the day. In the summer, sunlight exposure and heat are greatest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

On hot days, prevent illness by keeping cool indoors. If your home is not air conditioned, try to spend the hottest hours of the day in a cool public place such as a library, movie theater, or store. Signs of heat-related illness include high body temperature, fast pulse, dizziness, nausea, confusion, headache, passing out and hot, red, dry or damp skin.

Here are some additional steps you can take to protect yourself against heat-related illnesses: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/news/extreme-heat-and-heat-related-illnesses/

Food Safety

When preparing meals for gatherings, grilling outside or visiting local Farmer’s Markets, here are some important food safety tips to follow.

• Don’t let uninvited guests ruin your party. Whether it’s a pool party, BBQ, or graduation celebration, don’t let foodborne illness tag along. Thaw and marinate food in a refrigerator. Cook food to a safe internal temperature. Store cooked food in a hot holding area (like an insulated container).
• Picnic preparation – Make sure when filling your basket that you keep the food cold with ice packs. And don’t let food sit out for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour if the temperatures are higher than 90 degrees. https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/handling-food-safely-while-eating-outdoors.
• Who doesn’t love a Farmer’s Market? Fresh produce, friendly people, and delicious baked goods. While you browse, make sure to follow these food safety tips from the Department of Agriculture: https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2021/10/29/farmers-market-food-safety-tips.
• Don’t cross-contaminate! Wash fresh produce before cutting. Use clean utensils & wash/sanitize in between use. Store raw meat on the bottom shelf to avoid meat juices dripping on other food. Wash your hands before, during, and after handling food.
• Time to get the grill going – Prevent fires and foodborne illness by following these tips for grill safety and meal prepping:  https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/news/summer-injury-and-illness-prevention/food-safety/.

Swim Safety

Whether you are swimming in pools, water parks or recreational waters like rivers, lakes and coastal waters, it’s important to remember these swim safety tips to stay safe while having fun in the water. Learn more swim safety tips: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/waterborne-hazards-control/safe-swimming/.

• Understanding the Risks: Drowning can happen quickly and quietly. Even if someone looks like they’re okay, they might be in trouble. It’s important to know what to look for and how to help.
• Adult Supervision: When children are near water, supervision and safety is critical to prevent drowning. Children do not always struggle in the water. They can drown without making a sound.
• Swimming Lessons and Skills: High quality swimming lessons will include potentially life-saving skills such as self-rescue, swimming in clothes and life jackets, and falling into the water. While swimming lessons can contribute to water safety, they do not erase the risks of swimming. Conditions such as water temperature, air temperature, weather, water depth, water movement and situational and individual factors can affect an individual’s swimming ability.
• Safety Gear: Wearing a life jacket is like having a superhero cape in the water! It keeps everyone safe, even the not-so-great swimmers. Remember that floaties are not safety devices and can often provide a false sense of safety to guardians and swimmers. When these toys are in use, the caregiver must still provide active supervision. 
• Water Barriers: It’s important to have barriers and safety controls around water to keep everyone safe. Putting up fences and alarms around pools is like building a castle to protect from danger.
• Emergency Preparedness and CPR: Learning CPR and what to do in an emergency is like having a superpower to save lives. Let’s make sure we know what to do if someone needs help in the water.
• Community and Water Education: We can all be water safety superheroes by helping others stay safe. The more we know, the safer we’ll be! Remember to never swim alone, stay away from deep or unknown water and spread the word.

Fourth of July Safety

If you plan to watch the Fourth of July fireworks, it’s important to wear ear protection while participating in noisy activities like watching summer fireworks, which can lead to noise-induced hearing loss.
Learn more: https://blogs.cdc.gov/yourhealthyourenvironment/2022/06/13/national-fireworks-safety-month/

Everyday sounds typically do not damage your hearing. However, many people participate in activities that produce harmful sound levels. Such activities, when repeated over time, will cause hearing loss.

Avoiding noisy situations is the best prevention. But if you can’t avoid the noise, use adequate hearing protection such as earplugs and earmuffs. You can protect your hearing and still do the things you enjoy.

At Public Events

• Move or stay far away from the loudest sound-producing source—like fireworks—especially if attending with children.
• Limit the time of exposure to loud sounds.
• Pay attention to signs and information flyers warning of possible loud noise or recommending the use of hearing protection.
• Bring hearing protection devices with you. Make it a family affair! Keep them in your car, pockets, purse, backpack, or another place that is easy to access.

Firework Safety Tips

• Each year, countless Virginians are injured or worse due to fireworks. The only safe way to view fireworks is by attending public displays and leaving the lighting of fireworks to the professionals.
• It’s important to note that many local jurisdictions prohibit the use of all fireworks. Check with your locality to determine any local regulations. Learn more: https://www.vafire.com/blog/2023/06/22/guide-to-fireworks-in-the-commonwealth/

Did you know that today, June 27th, is National HIV Testing Day? It’s a day when we focus on the importance of getting tested for HIV, a virus that affects people all around the world. Let’s rediscover why this day is so important.

Why HIV Testing Matters:

• Getting tested helps you know your HIV status.
• Knowing your status early can help you get the right treatment and stay healthy.
• It also helps you protect others by reducing the chance of spreading the virus.
• Testing is a key part of preventing HIV and staying safe.

What HIV/AIDS Means:

• HIV is a virus that can make you sick and weaken your immune system.
• AIDS is a condition that can happen if HIV is not treated.
  • AIDS is the last stage of HIV infection that occurs when a body’s immune system is badly damaged.
• With the right care and treatment, people with HIV can live long and healthy lives.

What We Can All Do:

• Talk to your doctor or visit a clinic to get tested.
  • The VDH Pharmacy Testing Program is available to provide FREE HIV and hep C testing at select pharmacies across Virginia. 
  • On June 27th, participating Walgreens stores across the nation are offering FREE HIV, syphilis and hep C testing.
• Encourage friends and family to get tested.
• Learn about safe sex practices and ways to prevent HIV.
• Support and show kindness to people living with HIV/AIDS.
• Visit the VDH HIV & STDs Disease Prevention webpage to learn more!

This National HIV Testing Day, let’s come together to raise awareness and take action. By getting tested and spreading the word, we can make a difference in our communities and help stop the spread of HIV. Your health matters, so let’s take care of ourselves and each other!

Summer is here and our goal is to find the best way to spend it. Festivals, traveling, the beach, boating, hiking… the possibilities are endless. But the key to a great summer is to think cool.

As temperatures outside rise, it’s important to stay hydrated and stay cool. Last summer (May to September) in Virginia, 2,656 people visited an emergency department (ED) with heat-related illness. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), heat was the top cause of weather-related fatalities in 2023. According to the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), approximately 1,220 people in the United States die annually from extreme heat.

And this summer is predicted to be warmer than average. In fact, EDs have already seen 869 cases (vs. 275 for the same period in 2023) of heat-related illness as of June 24.

Heat stroke and heat exhaustion occur when your body is unable to cool itself. Humidity plays a big factor in your body’s ability to release heat. The higher the humidity, the slower your sweat evaporates. Additionally, age, weight, heart disease, poor circulation, alcohol, sunburn, and prescription drugs play a factor in how quickly your body can cool itself.

You can beat the heat with these tips:

• Stay Hydrated – Drinking water is one of the most important and easiest way to prevent heat-related illnesses. Start drinking water before you go out in the heat and continue throughout the day. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Avoid energy drinks and alcohol. Alcohol causes dehydration and the high levels of caffeine in energy drinks can strain your heart.
• Stay Cool – The easiest way to keep cool is to stay inside in the air conditioning. Fans are helpful but are ineffective in extreme heat. Don’t have a/c? Visit an indoor mall or head to the movies. If outside, stay in the shade as much as possible. Limit use of heat-producing appliances like the dryer, stove, or oven.
• Limit Physical Activity – Schedule your outdoor activities for the coolest times of the day – early morning or evening. When outside, pace yourself. Start slow and pick up your pace gradually. You may not be able to do the activities (running, hiking) at the same pace as a cooler day. Take frequent breaks in the shade.
• Dress Appropriately – Loose, lightweight clothing is the best way to dress for the heat. Light-colored and breathable fabrics will be more comfortable. Wear sunscreen (SPS 15 or higher), glasses, and a sun hat for protection. Reapply sunscreen often.
• Stay Informed – Before heading outside make sure you are aware of any weather and heat advisories. Know the difference between a heat watch and a heat warning. The CDC Heat & Health Tracker provides local heat and health information for you to better prepare for and respond to extreme heat events in your community.
• Check on Others – The heat can affect people differently. People 65 and older, children younger than two, and people with chronic diseases or mental illness are at a higher risk. Keep a close eye on your friends and neighbors. Do not leave children or pets in cars. Temperatures inside the car can rise almost 20 degrees within the first 10 minutes, even with the windows cracked. Make sure pets have plenty of water and shade.

If you, or someone you care, for develop symptoms of a heat-related illness, it’s important that you recognize the signs and know how to treat the symptoms or get additional help.

Individual suffering from heat-related illness might experience any of the following symptoms to include muscle cramps, headaches, nausea, dizziness, rash, weakness, irritability, thirst, heavy sweating or no sweating, high body temperature, and decreased urine output.

Knowing what to do might save your life or that of a loved one.

• Get the individual to a cooler place immediately.
• Cool the individual’s body temperature with a cold water or ice bath, if possible. If not, place cold compresses on the forehead, at the back of the neck, under the arms and in the groin area where large blood vessels lie close to the skin surface.
• Remove unnecessary clothing and/or soak clothing in cold water.
• Encourage sips of cold water.
• Circulate the air around the individual. Fan them.

If symptoms persist for more than an hour or get worse, seek medical attention immediately.

If an individual, loses consciousness, has a fast, strong pulse, hot, red skin and/or temperatures of 103° F, call 911 immediately. Heat stroke is an emergency.

If you keep these tips in mind, you, your family, and friends can have a safe, cool summer. Remember that your local health department can be a resource for summer safety.

Have a healthy, happy, and safe summer!