South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

County health department urges caution during extreme heat

The St. Louis area expects its first wave of extreme heat this weekend and the St. Louis County Department of Health is urging caution and common sense throughout the Memorial Day weekend and any subsequent periods of extreme heat.

“St. Louis experiences extreme heat almost every year, and it’s important to observe common sense precautions whenever this happens,” Dr. Dolores Gunn, director of the Department of Health, stated in a news release.

When temperatures rise above 95 degrees, the health separtment recommends the following:

• Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing.

• Spend as little time as possible in the sun and keep activity levels to a minimum.

• Drink plenty of cool, non-alcoholic beverages, especially those without sugar or caffeine.

• Take regular breaks in the shade or an air-conditioned room.

• Eat light, easily digested foods. Avoid hot, heavy or greasy meals.

• Do not leave food unrefrigerated for long — food spoils rapidly in the heat.

• Take care of those who might not be aware of the danger or able to react accordingly — especially young children and the elderly. Check on neighbors and relatives if they may be vulnerable or do not have air conditioning.

• Know the signs of heat exhaustion. If someone becomes dizzy, nauseated or sweats heavily, find a cooler location for him or her immediately.

• Know the signs of heat stroke. The symptoms are similar to heat exhaustion, but also include hot, flushed skin and normally sweating stops. If heat stroke is a possibility, call 911 immediately. Heat stroke is much more serious than heat exhaustion and is life threatening.

• If a person is unable to keep his or her residence cool and needs to find a cooling center, that person is urged to call the United Way of Greater Saint Louis by dialing 211 from his or her home landline phone, or by dialing (800) 427-4626 from any other type of phone.

Residents are also urged to consider pets when temperatures rise. Here are some tips for protecting pets during hot weather:

• Regularly check a pet’s water to make sure it is clean and fresh. Ample drinking water is vital to animals during hot and humid conditions. Make sure to adjust the drinking quantity for the size and number of pets. You can also spray your pet with water to cool them off.

• Provide a shady spot for pets. A pen near trees will work or you can fasten a sunroom screen to the sides and top of the pen to provide shade too.

• Never leave your pet unattended in a hot vehicle. Internal vehicle temperatures can reach 150 degrees.

For more information, visit the department’s Heat Safety Tips webpage at: