By Tim Poe, American Red Cross volunteer

I first saw the effects of heat stroke when I was 10. I was at a day camp for the first time. Decades later, I vaguely recall activities, canoes, a lake and even the heat. But I clearly remember seeing the fellow camper stumble, vomit and pass out. Counselors carried him inside and put him on a table, getting water and ice. The rest of us followed, worried, overhearing frantic conversations. Once inside, someone put on a movie to calm us, but I think we all knew he was in trouble and an ambulance was on the way. My memory becomes fuzzy after that. A darkened room, an ignored movie, a child my age prone on a table, teenagers tossing ice and water on him until the EMTs arrived, quickly giving treatment and taking him away. I saw him a few weeks later at another event, recovering.

As much as we enjoy summer and especially being active, heat can be dangerous, even life-threatening. In fact, the last several years have seen excessive heat cause more fatalities than all other weather events. Climate change is also making extreme heat events more frequent and severe, even here in Northern Ohio.

For a medical professional’s perspective on heat safety for our region, I reached out to Patricia Horvath, a registered nurse and American Red Cross volunteer regional nurse lead for Northern Ohio. Patricia explained, “a heat wave is more than 48 hours of high heat (90°F or higher) when high humidity (80 percent relative humidity or higher) is expected.”

“For us in Northern Ohio, the uptick in heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion are often seen around local family fun runs, sports camps for kids and pre-season athletic training for high school kids during heat waves,” she said. “I’ve also experienced it at outdoor family reunions when seniors rapidly became dehydrated in the sun.

“The saddest and most devasting situation I have seen is the death of a child—left or forgotten—in a hot parked car,” she continued. “After an hour, the average in-car temperature is 43 degrees higher than the outdoor temperature. After 90 minutes, this rises to 48 degrees higher. Therefore, when it’s 90 degrees outside, it could reach an incredible 138 degrees in your parked car. That’s hotter than any outdoor temperature ever recorded on Earth! Parents, grandparents and caregivers need to establish memory hooks as a routine to be sure to check for the little ones in car seats before leaving. It’s easy to get distracted or absentminded these days. Unfortunately, this also occurs often with pets. If you see a child in a parked car alone on a hot day even with windows cracked, say something and get help. Minutes matter.”

Patricia also spoke of the importance of community. “Like most things in a community, it’s those who live there who look out for each other that makes it healthy and safe. With heat waves, communities in Northern Ohio now will open free access to designated ‘cooling centers’ for residents, such as recreational centers, libraries and community centers. Check on your vulnerable elderly neighbors to be sure they have access to air-conditioning. Invite them to your house or give them a ride to a cooling center for the day. I have had air conditioning parties for my neighbors and friends during heat waves. Growing up, this is something my parents used to do when AC in private homes was more of a luxury.”

Patricia’s general advice to stay safe is:

• Be aware of the predicted heat and humidity for the day.
• Keep hydrated even if you are not thirsty.
• Keep cool, stay indoors or in the shade and, minimize exercise/activity.
• Check in with kids and the elderly to keep them safe too.
• Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

More information is available on the Red Cross heat safety page and the free Emergency App.

You can also see recent articles on summer road trip preparation, water safety, and severe weather safety.

Edited by Glenda Bogar, Red Cross volunteer.

Posted by Ryan Lang, Red Cross board member and volunteer.