Tips to Prevent Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion

Contact:
Kent Donahue
Kent.Donahue@flhealth.gov
407-858-1418

Health Related Illness 

Health Related Illness (Spanish)

ORLANDO, FL – Summer is here and so are the high temperatures that can cause heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The Florida Department of Health in Orange County encourages residents and visitors to beat the heat and stay cool with the following tips to prevent heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

• Stay Hydrated – Drink more water than usual. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty!
• Those at high risk for heat-related illness – the very young and very old and people with chronic medical conditions – should stay in an air-conditioned environment. If you don’t have air conditioning, go to the shopping mall or a public library.
• If you need to work outside, take frequent breaks. Stay cool. Pace yourself while working or exercising in hot weather.
• Do not leave children or pets in parked cars, even if the windows are cracked open. Cars can quickly heat up to dangerous temperatures.
• Protect your skin. Use sunscreen with a SPF 15 or higher.
• Cover up with a wide-brimmed hat. Wear lightweight and light-colored clothing.
• Leave your pets plenty of water in shady areas.
• Check your local news for extreme heat alerts and safety tips.

Heat Stroke

Symptoms of heat stroke include extremely high body temperature above 103ºF or higher, hot, red, dry or damp skin, no sweating, hallucinations, chills, throbbing headache, confusion/dizziness and/or slurred speech.

What to do for Heat Stroke:

• Call 911 right away - heat stroke is a medical emergency
• Move the person to a cooler place
• Help lower the person’s temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath 
• Do not give the person anything to drink

Heat Exhaustion

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, extreme weakness or fatigue, dizziness/confusion, nausea, cold clammy/moist skin, pale or flushed complexion, muscle cramps, slightly elevated body temperature and fast/shallow breathing.

What to do for Heat Exhaustion:

• Move to a cool place
• Loosen your clothes
• Put cool, wet towels/cloths on your body or take a cool bath
• Sip water

Get medical help right away if:
• You are throwing up
• Your symptoms get worse
• Your symptoms last longer than 1 hour

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts. Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.