Tips for Coping with a Heat Wave

Canton Township's has announced a cooling center is open at

The township also issued the following tips for coping with extreme heat:

• Slow down and avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m.

• Stay indoors as much as possible. If air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor, out of the sunshine. Try to go to a public building with air conditioning each day for several hours. Remember, electric fans do not cool the air, but they help sweat evaporate, which cools your body.

• Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors reflect away some of the sun's energy.

• Drink plenty of water/fluids. Your body needs water to keep cool.   Water is the safest liquid to drink during heat emergencies. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them. They can make you feel good briefly, but make the heat's effects on your body worse.

• Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid foods that are high in protein, which increase metabolic heat.

• Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.

Symptoms of Heat Emergencies

Heat exhaustion: Cool, moist, pale, or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal.

Heat stroke: Hot, red skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Body temperature can be very high, as high as 105 degrees. If the person was sweating from heavy work or exercise, skin may be wet; otherwise, it will feel dry. 

Heat Emergency First Aid

Heat cramps: Get the person to a cooler place and have him/her rest in a comfortable position.

• Lightly stretch the affected muscle and replenish fluids.
• Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes.
• Do not give liquids with alcohol or caffeine in them, as they can make conditions worse.

Heat exhaustion: Get the person out of the heat and into a cooler place.

• Remove/loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets.
• If the person is conscious, give cool water to drink. Make sure the person drinks slowly. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes.
• Do not give liquids that contain alcohol or caffeine. Let the victim rest in a comfortable position, and watch carefully for changes in his or her condition.

Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation. Help is needed fast.

• Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number.
• Move the person to a cooler place.
• Quickly cool the body. Immerse victim in a cool bath, or wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it.
• Watch for signals of breathing problems. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body any way you can.
• If the victim refuses water or is vomiting or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give food or drink.