Sustained hot days and hot nights during typical St. Louis area summers provide little to no relief from summer soaring temperatures, creating a precariously unhealthy environment for people and their pets. Particularly susceptible are the elderly, the sick, and persons who live alone.
“Heat waves bring with them high temperatures, extremely high humidity at times to the point that the heat index can cross more than 100 degrees, which can drain moisture and energy very quickly from any living creature – human or animal,” said St. Louis County Department of Public Health Director, Dr. Faisal Khan.
Temperatures hover over 90 degrees with and heat index values over 100 degrees call for extra precautions. The health department says fans don’t reduce the heat – they can actually increase the heat the room more by blowing hot air around.
Staying hydrated with the right type of fluid is a first line of defense.
“Nothing is a good substitute for water. There is absolutely no substitute,” Khan said.
As tasty as fruity drinks and happy hour beverages may be – it is not an ideal choice to beat the heat.
“Alcohol may provide temporary relief, but it does not replenish the body’s electrolytes; it does not provide the body enough water, which is needed,” Khan explained. “In fact, it may impair your judgement and reflexes to the point that you do not perceive heat and heat-related affects as quickly as another individual would.”
Wearing lose-fitting, light-colored clothing helps the body to cool itself. The doctor also recommends staying out of the sun, when possible, and taking it easy with strenuous activities – that goes for you and for Fido.
“Make sure you do the same for your pets,” he reminded. “If you are uncomfortable, they are uncomfortable.”
Even though you or others may not sweat a lot, your body is still losing moisture – and at a much faster rate in extreme heat. Dr. Khan said there is such a thing as “imperceptible sweating.”
“You don’t see yourself sweating, you don’t feel like you’re sweating, but even breathing, for example, results in a loss of moisture and dehydration,” Khan said. “If you’re exposed to a warm temperature, even inside a closed room – if your air conditioning is not functioning , you might not sweat a lot, but you begin to lose moisture very quickly.”
Other steps you can take to help yourself and others during heatwaves include staying well-hydrated, getting out of the sun, and using your air conditioner, and pacing yourself during outdoor activities.
“One of the general misconceptions is that well, if we like to play sports or our children play sports, etc., we’ll just do that at night, for example, and that’ll take care of any heat related issues.”
Night throws no shade during a heatwave.
“The problem is that, when we have a heat wave in the St. Louis region, typically, nighttime temperatures hover around 95 to 80 degrees, if not a few degrees higher. Even the absence of sunlight doesn’t really provide respite from dehydration,” Dr. Khan said. “You sweat, you become dehydrated, and so it’s even more important to consume fluids and electrolytes and make sure you take enough breaks inbetween.”
Recently, a heat-related death of 90-year old woman was reported in St. Louis County. Dr. Khan said she had an air conditioner that was not working properly.
“Please check in on your friends, relatives and loved ones who live by themselves – who are elderly or infirmed, or otherwise functionally disabled in some form or fashion so that we make sure they’re okay and the air conditioning systems are working fine. And if they need assistance, reach out and help them,” he said. “It’s kind of a double whammy – the ability to not perceive temperature changes as sharply as someone of a younger age and at the same time, the fact that you have a malfunctioning air conditioning system, which nobody could have predicted.”
He said in the spring before the temperatures get too warm is best time to have air conditioner serviced.
The health department encourages everyone turn on their air conditioners to cool their residences if they have them, or go to a nearby cooling center for relief. Designated cooling centers are located throughout the area. Residents can locate a nearby cooling center or seek assistance with cooling bills if needed from community organizations through the United Way’s referral line 2-1-1 from a landline phone or 1-800-427-4626 from any other phone.
“St. Louis County has also made available a number of resources, both for utility support for people who cannot afford them as well as others who need a cooling shelter,” Dr. Khan added.
Find out more on the St. Louis County Department of Health website at http://www.stlouisco.com/HealthandWellness/HotWeatherSafetyTips.
For a list of area cooling centers are online at http://www.211helps.org/heating-cooling-sites.aspx.
(Heat Up) Cool Down St. Louis provides telephone numbers for cooling assistance in several counties at http://www.heatupstlouis.org/#ASSISTANCE.
