Excessive Heat Events Guidebook in Brief EPA 430-B-06-006 | June 2006 Quick Tips for Responding to Excessive Heat Events For the Public Do *• Use air conditioners or spend time in air-conditioned locations such as malls and libraries +• Use portable electric fans to exhaust hot air from rooms or draw in cooler air r Take a cool bath or shower *- Minimize direct exposure to the sun >- Stay hydrated - regularly drink water or other nonalcoholic fluids +• Eat light, cool, easy-to-digest foods such as fruit or salads +• Wear loose fitting, light-colored clothes >• Check on older, sick, or frail people who may need help responding to the heat *- Know the symptoms of excessive heat exposure and the appropriate responses. Don't >• Direct the flow of portable electric fans toward yourself when room temperature is hotter than 90°F Leave children and pets alone in cars for any amount of time +• Drink alcohol to try to stay cool +• Eat heavy, hot, or hard-to-digest foods Wear heavy, dark clothing. For more information, visit: http://www.epa.gov/heatisland/about/healthenv.html , V,../ CDC United States Environmental Protection Agency FEJ\1 A Office of Atmospheric Programs (6207J) 1 200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460 ------- Excessive Heat Events Guidebook in Brief Useful Community Interventions For Public Officials Send a clear public message >• Communicate that EHEs are dangerous and conditions can be life-threatening. In the event of conflicting environmental safety recommendations, emphasize that health protection should be the first priority. Inform the public of anticipated EHE conditions i When will EHE conditions be dangerous? *- How long will EHE conditions last? »- How hot will it FEEL at specific times during the day (e.g., 8 A.M., 12 P.M., 4 P.M., 8 P.M.)? Assist those at greatest risk *- Assess locations with vulnerable populations, such as nursing homes and public housing »- Staff additional emergency medical personnel to address the anticipated increase in demand •»• Shift/expand homeless intervention services to cover daytime hours Open cooling centers to offer relief for people without air conditioning and urge the public to use them. Provide access to additional sources of information >• Provide toll-free numbers and Web site addresses for heat exposure symptoms and responses *• Open hotlines to report concerns about individuals who may be at risk '- Coordinate broadcasts of EHE response information in newspapers and on television and radio. ------- |