Safety Tips On How to Deal With the Excessive Heat

During the heat wave people are advised to take some safety precautions. 

The Center for Disease and Control Prevention advised that air-conditioning is the number one protective factor against heat-related illness or death.

They advise people to:

• Increase their fluid intake regardless of the activity level and not wait until they are thirsty to drink.
• If you must go outside, limit your outdoor activities to early morning or late evening. 
• Stay in air-conditioned places as much as possible. 
• Use a buddy system- watch over your co-workers, neighbors, or friends, and have someone else do the same for you. 
• Do not leave infants, children or pets in a parked car, even if the windows are open because interior temperatures can rise almost 20 degrees Fahrenheit within the first 10 minutes.

Also don't forget to take breaks if you must work outside, wear sunscreen, eat small meals and more often. Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing, and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.

Heat Exhaustion

It typically involves the loss of body fluids through heavy sweating during strenuous exercise or physical labor in high heat and humidity.

• Signs of heat exhaustion include cool, moist, pale or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea; dizziness; weakness; and exhaustion.
•  Move the person to a cooler place. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths or towels to the skin. Fan the person. If the person is conscious, give small amounts of cool water to drink. Make sure the person drinks slowly. Watch for changes in condition.
• If the person refuses water, vomits or begins to lose consciousness, call 911 or the local emergency number. 

Heat stroke (also known as sunstroke) is a life-threatening condition in which a person's temperature control system stops working and the body is unable to cool itself.

• Signs of heat stroke include hot, red skin which may be dry or moist; changes in consciousness; vomiting; and high body temperature. 
• Heat stroke is life-threatening. Call 911 or the local emergency number immediately.
• Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the person's body by giving care as you would for heat exhaustion. If needed, continue rapid cooling by applying ice or cold packs wrapped in a cloth to the wrists, ankles, groin, neck and armpits. 

Con Ed also reminded residents they needed to help conserve energy, so there is enough to go around during the week's heat wave. Here are a few simple steps residents and businesses can take to avoid area black-outs:

• If you have a room air-conditioning unit, close off the rooms not being used; if you have central air, block the vents in un-used or vacant rooms.
• Turn off all lights you are not using to conserve energy.
• To reduce heat and moisture, run appliances such as ovens, washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers in the early morning or late at night when it's generally cooler. Use a microwave to cook, or barbecue outside if possible.

Con Ed will have extra crews and support personnel available 24/7 to respond to any service problems that may arise.