EMERGENCY INFORMATION
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Heat kills
by pushing the human body beyond its limits.
Under normal conditions, the body's internal
thermostat produces perspiration that
evaporates and cools the body. However, in
extreme heat and high humidity, evaporation
is slowed and the body must work extra hard
to maintain a normal temperature.
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Most heat
disorders occur because the victim has been
overexposed to heat or has overexercised for
his or her age and physical condition. Other
conditions that can induce heat-related
illnesses include stagnant atmospheric
conditions and poor air quality.
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A prolonged
drought can have a serious economic impact
on a community. Increased demand for water
and electricity may result in shortages of
resources. Moreover, food shortages may
occur if agricultural production is damaged
or destroyed by a loss of crops or
livestock.
DANGER ZONES
All areas in the
United States are at risk of drought at any time
of the year. Drought gripped much of the West
and Midwest from 1987 to 1991. The Missouri
River Basin and California have experienced
extended periods of drought as well.
WHAT IS EXtrEME
HEAT?
Temperatures that
hover 10 degrees or more above the average high
temperature for the region and last for several
weeks are defined as extreme heat. Humid or
muggy conditions, which add to the discomfort of
high temperatures, occur when a "dome" of high
atmospheric pressure traps hazy, damp air near
the ground. Excessively dry and hot conditions
can provoke dust storms and low visibility.
Droughts occur when a long period passes without
substantial rainfall. A heat wave combined with
a drought is a very dangerous situation.
HELP YOUR
COMMUNITY GET READY
The media can
raise awareness about extreme heat and drought
by providing important information to the
community. Here are some suggestions:
-
Publish a
special section with emergency information
on extreme heat. Localize the information by
including the phone numbers of local
emergency services offices, the American Red
Cross, and hospitals.
-
Interview
local physicians about the dangers of
sunburn, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and
other possible conditions caused by
excessive heat.
-
During a
drought, run a week-long series suggesting
ways that individuals can conserve water and
energy in their homes and their workplaces.
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Interview
local officials and representatives of the
U.S. Department of Agriculture about special
steps farmers can take to establish
alternative water supplies for their crops.
-
Sponsor a
"Helping Your Neighbors" program through
your local school system to encourage
children to think of those persons who
require special assistance such as elderly
people, infants or people with disabilities
during severe weather conditions.
DID YOU KNOW...
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In a normal
year, approximately 175 Americans die from
extreme heat. Young children, elderly
people, and those who are sick or overweight
are more likely to become victims.
-
Between 1936 and
1975, nearly 20,000 people succumbed to the
effects of heat and solar radiation.
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Because men
sweat more than women, men are more
susceptible to heat illness because they
become more quickly dehydrated.
-
Sunburn can
significantly slow the skin's ability to
release excess heat.
-
People living in
urban areas may be at a greater risk from
the effects of a prolonged heat wave than
people living in rural regions. An increased
health problem can occur when stagnant
atmospheric conditions trap pollutants in
urban areas, thus adding contaminated air to
excessively hot temperatures.
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