July 24, 2006
It's July, and it's hot. In some parts of the country, people have been dealing with extreme heat in addition to power outages that have lasted for days. The dangerously hot weather has been front page news, but not all the risks associated with high temperatures can make the front page. Some heat hazards are less hidden, while others rarely make the news: "Extremely hot weather
can result in illness -- including physiological disruptions and
organ damage -- and even death. Excessive heat events, or abrupt
and dramatic temperature increases, are particularly dangerous and
can result in above-average rates of mortality. In fact, the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that excessive heat
claims more lives in the United States each year than hurricanes,
lightning, tornadoes, floods, and While everyone is potentially at risk, there are those who are more vulnerable to the risks associated with excessive heat exposure. "About 400 people
die each year from heat exposure, according to the CDC. The risk
of heat illness goes up during exertion and sports and with certain
health conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.
Alcohol use also increases the risk. So do medications that slow
sweat production such as antihistamines, tricyclic antidepressants,
and diuretics used to treat water retention, high blood pressure,
and some liver and kidney conditions. People ages 65 and older and
young children are especially vulnerable to heat illness. During
the summer of 2003, at least 42 children in the United States died
after being left in hot cars, according to Jan Null, a meteorologist
in San Francisco who tracks heat-related deaths. What some people
don't realize is that the temperature inside a car can climb much
higher than temperatures outside during a sunny day. Heat stroke
in children can occur within minutes, even if a car window is opened
slightly." Children are not the only ones at risk when left alone in a car. Adults and seniors may know how to get out of a car that is getting too hot, but they also need to be aware of the warning signs so that they know when to get out. Then there are the pets... "Americans have a
love affair with their cars--and their pets. During the summer months,
however, the combination can be deadly. ... Common sense tells most
people that leaving their pet inside a parked vehicle on a hot,
summer day could be dangerous after an extended period of time.
But most people don't realize that the temperature can skyrocket
after just a few minutes. Parking in the shade or leaving the windows
cracked does little to alleviate this pressure cooker. On a warm,
sunny day windows collect light, trapping heat inside the vehicle,
and pushing the temperature inside to dangerous levels. On an 85-degree
Fahrenheit day, for example, the temperature inside a car with the
windows opened slightly can reach 102 degrees within ten minutes.
After 30 minutes, the temperature will reach 120 degrees. At 110
degrees, pets are in danger of heatstroke. On hot and humid days,
the temperature in a car parked in direct sunlight can rise more
than 30 degrees per minute, and quickly become lethal." Having heard what to do during extreme heat is one thing, but it is often more difficult for people to follow the guidelines if they don't understand why they exist. (For even more detail on the following topics, visit the reference link at the bottom of the quote.) "What to Do During Extreme Heat
It becomes more difficult to stay in the air conditioning and drink cold fluids when the power goes out. While many areas set up cooling centers for the air conditioning access, what happens to the heat-sensitive items that are stored at home? "When the Power Goes
Out "Once Power is Restored
Food safety is a concern during a power outage (or a picnic on a warm day). Beyond food safety, some medications need to be refrigerated. Consult your pharmacist if you have questions about medication safety after a power outage. Even with the power on, temperatures can rise, and medications can be compromised (especially if left in the car or in the sun on a hot day). For example, many with
severe allergies carry an EpiPen® with them at all times. If
they are out in 90* F - 100* F heat, this could cause the EpiPen®
to be ineffective: While these directions specifically mention the glove compartment of a car, the EpiPen® website has a link to the Patient Package Insert which provides more specific temperature information: "* Store at 25*C (77*F);
excursions permitted to 15*C-30*C (59*F-86*F) (See USP Controlled
Room Temperature). Contains no latex. Protect from light. ***Please note: The EpiPen® is ONE example. If you have questions about the heat-sensitivity of your medication (whether prescription or over the counter), please contact your pharmacist.*** There are other examples. There are other risks. No one article can cover them all. Newspapers, TV broadcasts, radio reports, and online articles all have to pick and choose what to point out. Questions of the Week:
Please email me with any ideas or suggestions. I look forward to reading what you have to say. Cindy |
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