With temperatures expected to leap into the high 90’s this weekend, Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health and City of Bismarck Emergency Management urge residents to take precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses and stay safe during summer storms. When the temperatures climb, you can beat the heat by staying cool, hydrated and informed.
“High heat and humidity can lead to serious health issues such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke,” said BBPH Director Renae Moch. “It is important for people to recognize the signs of heat-related illness and take action to prevent getting sick.” You can help your body cope with high temperatures by following these tips:
STAY COOL
- Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
- Stay in an air-conditioned place as much as possible.
- If your home does not have air conditioning, go to a shopping mall or public library—even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat. Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, they will not prevent heat-related illness.
- Take a cool shower or bath or moving to an air-conditioned place. Use your stove and oven less to maintain cooler temps in your home.
- Limit outdoor activity to when it’s coolest, like morning and evening hours. Rest often in shady areas so that your body has a chance to recover.
- Cut down on exercise during the heat. If you’re not accustomed to working or exercising in heat, start slowly and pick up the pace gradually. If exertion in the heat makes your heart pound and leaves you gasping for breath, STOP all activity.
- Sunburn affects your body’s ability to cool down and can make you dehydrated. If you go outdoors, protect yourself by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and apply sunscreen.
STAY HYDRATED
- Drink more fluids, regardless of how active you are. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty.
- Warning: If your doctor limits your fluid intake or has you on water pills, ask how much you should drink while the weather is hot.
- Stay away from very sugary or alcoholic drinks—these cause you to lose more body fluid. Also avoid very cold drinks because they can cause stomach cramps.
- Replace Salt and Minerals: Heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from the body that need to be replaced. A sports drink may replace salt and minerals you lose in sweat.
- If you are on a low-salt diet, have diabetes, high blood pressure, or other chronic conditions, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage or taking salt tablets.
- Keep Your Pets Hydrated: Provide plenty of fresh water for your pets and leave the water in a shady area.
STAY INFORMED
- Check your local news for extreme heat alerts and additional safety tips and to learn about any cooling shelters in your area.
- Learn the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses and how to treat them.
- When working in the heat, monitor the condition of co-workers and have someone do the same for you. Heat-induced illness can cause a person to become confused or lose consciousness. If you are 65 years of age or older, have a friend or relative check on you twice a day. If you know someone aged 65+, check on them at least twice a day.
- Although anyone at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others:
- Infants and young children
- People 65 years of age or older
- People who are overweight
- People who overexert during work or exercise
- People who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure, or who take certain medications, such as for depression, insomnia, or poor circulation
- Visit adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Infants and young children will need closer supervision.
PREPARE FOR THE UNEXPECTED
Being prepared for the unexpected includes knowing what to do in the event of extreme summer weather or power outages and air conditioning failures. North Dakota’s tornado season traditionally runs from the end of May through the beginning of August. Review how you will react to severe storms, and if you need to make considerations for vulnerable populations (elderly, infants, children, individuals with disabilities, pets, etc.). Make sure everyone knows what to do and practice your plan prior to needing it in an emergency.
“The City of Bismarck does not own or operate tornado shelters,” said Gary Stockert, the City of Bismarck’s Emergency Manager. “This means that individuals or families living in mobile homes or other vulnerable structures may need to discuss sheltering with nearby friends, neighbors or relatives. If you, or your family, needs to relocate, the best time to go is during a tornado watch. Do not wait until a tornado warning is issued.”
Bismarck uses outdoor warning sirens to alert the public to a variety of factors, including tornadoes. These sirens provide an alert for individuals within range of the sirens, who are working or playing outdoors. While some individuals may hear the sirens while inside the home, the sirens are designed to be an outdoor warning system, not an indoor one.
In preparation of extreme weather, a NOAA Weather Radio may be a wise purchase. Putting together a supply of food, water, first aid kit, and books or games to pass the time may also benefit your family. Keep these supplies in a basement or in the lowest level of a sturdy building. In the event of a tornado, you will want to put as many walls between you and the exterior of the building as possible. Your location should ideally not have doors or windows. In a school or other large building, go to the lowest level and into a bathroom or hallway near the center of the building. Stay away from large open rooms like an auditorium or gymnasium.
Finally, while brown outs and black outs may be unlikely, planning for what to do in the event of power outages or an air conditioner that stops working can turn a potentially dangerous situation into one that can be navigated. For more information about preparedness in any situation, visit the Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health and Emergency Management sections.