Crime & Safety

Officials Issue Safety Reminders for Elderly, Children and Pets in Warm Weather Weekend

With temperatures expected to reach 90 this weekend, citizens are urged to check on older neighbors and relatives, and if you have pets, make sure there is ample cool water and shade, and never leave an animal in a hot car.

The National Weather Service is forecasting Saturday's high temperatures to reach 90 degrees and cooling only slightly to 89 degrees for Sunday. While that's a great excuse to go outside and enjoy the sunshine, public safety officials want to remind citizens to keep an eye out for their less independent neighbors.

"We are particularly worried about our senior citizens," said Fire Chief Greg Smith of King County Fire Protection District No. 44, which serves sections of unincorporated southeast King County including areas of Auburn, Kent, Enumclaw and the city of Black Diamond. "While it looks like it will be only in the low 90s, we have not had that kind of temperatures all summer so we probably are not acclimated to it. We would like everyone to check in on their older relatives and neighbors to ensure they are not experiencing difficulties and make sure they are taking appropriate steps to stay cool."

The concern, said Smith, is hyperthermia, which covers a variety of heat-realted illnesses that include heat stroke, heat fatigue, heat syncope (sudden dizziness after exercising in the heat), heat cramps and heat exhaustion.

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Older adults are particularly at risk for developing heat-related illness because the body's ability to adequately respond to summer heat can become less efficient with age. The National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has some advice for helping older people avoid heat problems during the summer months.

A person's risk for hyperthermia is not based only on the outside temperature—it includes the general health and lifestyle of the individual.

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Health factors that may increase risk include:

  • Age-related changes to the skin, such as poor blood circulation and inefficient sweat glands;
  • Heart, lung and kidney diseases, as well as any illness that causes general weakness or fever;
  • High blood pressure or other conditions that require changes in diet (for example, a salt-restricted diet);
  • The inability to perspire, caused by medications including diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers and certain heart and blood pressure drugs;
  • Taking several drugs for various conditions (note: it is important to continue to take prescribed medication and discuss possible problems with a physician);
  • Being substantially overweight or underweight;
  • Drinking alcoholic beverages; and,
  • Being dehydrated.

Lifestyle factors can also increase risk, including extremely hot living quarters, lack of transportation, overdressing, visiting overcrowded places and not understanding weather conditions. Older people, particularly those at special risk, should stay indoors on particularly hot and humid days, especially when there is an air pollution alert in effect. People without fans or air conditioners should go to places such as shopping malls, movie houses and libraries. Friends or relatives might be asked to supply transportation on particularly hot days. Many communities, social service agencies, religious groups and senior citizen centers also provide services such as cooling centers.

Heat stroke is an advanced form of hyperthermia that occurs when the body is overwhelmed by heat and unable to control its temperature. As a person's body temperature rises rapidly, the body loses its ability to sweat and cool itself down. Heat stroke is especially dangerous for older people and requires emergency medical attention. A person with a body temperature above 104 is likely suffering from heat stroke and may have symptoms of confusion, combativeness, strong rapid pulse, lack of sweating, dry flushed skin, faintness, staggering, possible delirium or coma. A person with any of these symptoms, especially an older adult, should seek immediate medical attention.

Here are five tips on what to do if you suspect someone is suffering from a heat-related illness:

  • Get the person out of the sun and into an air-conditioned or other cool place.
  • Offer fluids such as water, fruit and vegetable juices, but avoid alcohol and caffeine.
  • Encourage the individual to shower, bathe or sponge off with cool water.
  • Apply a cold, wet cloth to the wrists and/or neck, places where arterial blood passes close to the surface and the cold cloths can help cool the blood.
  • Urge the person to lie down and rest, preferably in a cool place.

Call 911 if they have symptoms as described above or you are in any doubt.

For those expecting to stay outdoors for the most part this weekend, remember to stay well hydrated and not overheat. If you're going to be on the water, make sure children are supervised and in life vests. Also don't forget the sunscreen, said Smith.

Keep Your Furry Friends Cool

Editor's Note: Information from Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC).

Animals cannot sweat like humans, and they are vulnerable to overheating quickly, especially when the temperature rises above 70 degrees. Be sure to provide plenty of fresh, cool water to your pets, and shade from the sun. Though pets still need exercise during warm weather, take extra care when exercising older dogs, short-nosed dogs, and dogs with thick coats, as they are especially vulnerable to overheating. On hot days, limit exercise to early morning or evening hours.

Another danger is leaving pets in a vehicle. In sunny weather, the temperature inside a car can quickly rise to 120 degrees or more, even with windows left slightly open. Animals left in a hot car, even for just a few minutes, can suffer from heat stroke, brain damage, or death. In addition, leaving a pet unattended in a hot car can be grounds for animal cruelty charges. In warm weather, leave your pets at home instead of taking them with you on errands.

If you see an animal in distress in an unattended vehicle, first try to contact authorities at the location you are visiting. They may be able to help locate the vehicle’s owner to unlock it quickly. If security guards or other authorities are unavailable, call 911 or 206-296-PETS (7387) immediately.

For more pet safety tips, or to learn more about RASKC, visit www.kingcounty.gov/pets.


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