Heat Illness                                         June 18, 2009

Summer is quickly approaching and with it, the heat and humidity typical of Missouri this time of year.  State health department officials are advising people to take precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses and even death.

Patty Osman (OZ-mun) is an Environmental Surveillance Unit Manager with the department.  She says children and the elderly are the most vulnerable to heat-related illness…

Osman1           :15       “checking on them”

Osman suggests using a “buddy system” where people are encouraged to check on relatives, friends and neighbors during periods of extreme heat.

She also says the elderly on fixed incomes sometimes won’t use their air conditioning because they might feel that they cannot afford the expense of running it…

Osman2           :14       “cooling centers”

And certain medications can cause problems when it is hot…

Osman3           :24       “to heat”

Osman says last year 10 people died in Missouri from heat-related illnesses, but it was considered an unusually cool summer.  She says don’t depend on it being cool again this summer, and take precautions to keep yourself from getting overheated…

Osman4           :21       “heat a lot”

And Osman says avoid caffeine and make sure you get plenty of fluids, especially water.  She says athletes can also use sports drinks to replace the electrolytes lost.

Osman says the health department works closely with the National Weather Service to post watches and warnings when heat could be a problem…

Osman5           :19       “precautions”

Osman says to avoid getting sunburned as that will also make you more susceptible to heat-related illnesses.

Missouri Summer Safety Week runs from June 21 - 27.