Summer's here, and it means the return of bright, warm weather, an excuse for millions of funseekers to renew their yearly battle with the sun.

• Some will take home beautiful tans as their prize.

• Many others will suffer the brief discomfort of sunburn.

• A few will die, victims of a swift, unexpected killer, Heatstroke.

DEATH BY HEATSTROKE

Summer's sudden assassin is heatstroke, an uncontrollable rise in body temperature to over 105°F in a hot environment. A true medical emergency with a mortality rate of 17 to 70 percent, heatstroke kills 4000 Americans yearly, striking whenever people are exposed to prolonged high temperature.
Even in winter, employees of industries using intense heat may be affected. But since hot weather provides more opportunities for people to overheat themselves, most heatstrokes occur during summer.

WHAT CAUSES HEATSTROKE?

Heatstroke is caused by failure of the body's heat removal systems. Human life processes constantly produce heat as a byproduct. Normally, this heat production is balanced with heat losses to maintain an internal body temperature of 98.6°F.

In a cool environment, most heat loss is by direct transfer from warm blood flowing through the skin to the cooler atmosphere. As air temperature increases, heat loss by this route slows, and the body cools less rapidly, just as a hot cup of coffee cools less rapidly at room temperature than in a refrigerator. By the time the thermometer reaches 92°F, direct heat losses are so slow, that they cannot remove body heat fast enough to keep up with it's production.

At this point, heat removal by evaporation of sweat becomes essential in maintaining normal body temperature, and the failure to produce or evaporate sweat can lead to a buildup of body heat, a rise in the internal temperature, and a heatstroke.

WHO ARE ITS VICTIMS?

Collapse of normal temperature control leading to heatstroke tends to affect two very different groups of people.

The first, which accounts for only a small part of all heatstroke victims, consists of healthy, young people working or playing hard in hot, humid weather. Included are outdoor laborers, athletes, and military recruits.

The second, more highly susceptible group comprises persons with special problems or illness which interfere with normal removal of body heat. Especially vulnerable are infants, the aged, alcoholics, obese individuals, and persons suffering from cystic fibrosis, cardiovascular disease, hyperthyroidism, and fever from infection. Also at risk are those using or abusing amphetamines, LSD, pheothiazines, diuretics, and tricyclic antidepressants.

DIAGNOSING AND TREATING HEAT CRAMPS & HEAT EXHAUSTION

The onset of heatstroke is often sudden, especially in the young. But some persons first experience less serious heat cramps or heat exhaustion.  Heat cramps are painful muscle spasms in the legs and abdomen caused by moderate salt depletion from sweating. A more severe loss of salt and water produces heat exhaustion, characterized by headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, and cool, moist skin.

Persons suffering heat cramps or exhaustion should be moved to a cool are, allowed to lie down, and given Gatorade or a salt solution to drink. They usually do not need to go to a hospital unless heat exhaustion, severe enough to cause unconsciousness, is present. However, they should be cautioned to avoid heat and increase their salt and water intake for the next 24 hours. Neglected heat exhaustion can progress to heatstroke.

SIGNS OF HEATSTROKE - WHAT TO DO

True heatstroke is usually not difficult to identify. The victim either is found in a very hot, humid environment or develops symptoms after air temperature rises above 100°F for several days. He may have complained of nausea, headache or weakness and become confused before losing consciousness. The pulse is rapid and may be either weak or bounding. Respirations are rapid and deep. And most important, the skin is usually flushed, dry, and very hot to the touch. However, these signs are not always present, and heatstroke should be suspected in any person found unconscious after heat exposure.

Once heatstroke is diagnosed, treatment must begin immediately. If permanent damage to the victim's brain, heart, liver and kidneys is to be avoided, his body temperature must be reduced to near normal within one hour. A person suffering heatstroke should be moved to a cool area if one is available. As much clothing as possible should be removed, and the victim cooled rapidly, using ice, cold water, and fanning. Cooling efforts should concentrate on the head, neck, and groin, with a goal of lowering body temperature to below 102°F. While aid is being rendered, an emergency ambulance should be called. Victims of heatstroke must go to a hospital.

HOW TO PREVENT HEATSTROKE

While rapid treatment of heatstroke victims is critical, even more important is prevention of heatstroke before it happens. Persons not used to hot weather should limit their activity initially and then increase gradually to allow for adjustment by the body.

Coaches, foremen, and military drill instructors should schedule frequent "cool-off" periods and avoid heavy work schedules on hot humid days. Anyone who is repeatedly exposed to intense heat should wear light, loose clothing and increase his salt and water intake.

Special preventive efforts should be directed toward persons whose age or physical condition increases their risk of overheating.

Infants and small children should never be left alone in closed cars.

Elderly or disabled persons should not be exposed to the sun's full heat, and should be checked regularly for heat related problems.

Persons who have illnesses or take medications which interfere with normal heat removal should consult a physician for advice about their special problems.

The summer heat can be a killer, but with care and common sense there is no reason why everyone cannot enjoy it in complete safety.
 

Information prepared by the City of Dallas HEALTH and HUMAN SERVICES
 

GRILLING

Beware when you barbecue. According to N.F.P.A, in 1998 alone, there were 6,100 reported home fires involving gas or charcoal grills in the U.S., leading to $29.1 million in direct property damage. 

• When using barbecue grills on decks or patios, be sure to leave sufficient space from siding and eaves.
• Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.
• Keep children and pets far away from grills.
• With charcoal grills, only use charcoal starter fluids designed for barbecue grills and do not add fluid after coals have been lit.
• With gas grills, be sure that the hose connection is tight and check hoses carefully for leaks. Applying soapy water to the hoses will easily and safely reveal any leaks.
• Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and have the grill repaired by a professional, if necessary.
   

PROPANE

• Handle any propane-powered equipment cautiously and always follow the manufacturer's instructions. Cylinder tanks for equipment such as stoves and ovens must be located outside of the home.
• Never store or use propane gas cylinders larger than one pound inside the home.
• Never operate a propane-powered gas grill inside the home.
• Have propane gas equipment inspected periodically by a professional for possible leaks or malfunctioning parts.
• Carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions when lighting a pilot.
• If you smell a strong odor of gas, leave the area immediately and call the fire department from outside the home.
• For more information visit, the Propane Education and Research Council Web site.
   

FIREWORKS 

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), fireworks lead to thousands of injuries requiring emergency room treatment. These dazzling, but dangerous devices can burn up to 1200° F and can cause burns, lacerations, amputations and blindness.

Manufacturers’ participation in Federal safety regulations, combined with increased consumer awareness is making the Fourth of July Holiday safer than ever. However, explosive devices like M-80s and M-100s continue to be a problem. Though banned since 1966, these illegal explosives still account for one-third of all Fourth of July injuries.

Illegal fireworks continue to be a serious problem. On a typical 4th of July, fireworks cause more fires in the U.S. than all other causes combined. But because most people encounter the risk of fireworks only once a year, many Americans do not realize how great that risk is.

You really must leave fireworks to the professionals.  Their shows are spectacular and safe.  Amateur displays are unacceptably dangerous, especially to children, whose injury rates are several times those of adults.

• Stay back at least 500 feet from professional fireworks displays.
• Treat all fireworks, whether legal or illegal for consumers, as suitable only for use by trained professionals.
• If you find fireworks, do not touch them but instead direct authorities to them.
• Leave any area where amateurs are using fireworks.

The 1997 Dallas Fire Code, Section 78 prohibits the use, storage or handling of fireworks within the City of Dallas, except for professional, approved displays.  Violators of this article will be guilty of a class C misdemeanor and fined up to $2000.00.

CAMPING

• Always use a flame retardant tent and set up camp far away from the campfire.
• Only use flashlights or battery-powered lanterns inside the tent or any other closed space, not liquid-filled heaters or lanterns.
• Always build your campfire down wind away from your tent. Clear all vegetation and dig a pit surrounded by rocks before building your campfire.
• Store liquid fire starter (not gasoline) away from your tent and campfire and only use dry kindling to freshen a campfire.
• Always put out a campfire when going to sleep or leaving the campsite. To extinguish the fire, cover with dirt or pour water over it
   

BOATING 

Boat sober - Alcohol affects your ability to function in three critical ways. Your balance, judgement and reaction time are affected almost immediately with the first drink. On the water, as on the road - don't drink and drive.  Be sure to extinguish all smoking materials and shut down motors, fans and heating devices before fueling a boat. In case of a spill, wipe up fuel immediately and check the bilge for fuel leakage and odors. After fueling and before starting the boat's motor, ventilate with the blower for at least four minutes.  On board your covered boat, consider installing a smoke detector and test the battery before using the boat each time, replacing the battery with a fresh one at least once a year.  Only use portable stoves and heaters specifically designed for marine use.

GASOLINE

• Keep gasoline out of children's sight and reach.
• Do not use or store gasoline near possible ignition sources (i.e., electrical devices, oil or gas-fired appliances, or any other device that contains a pilot flame or a spark).
• Store gasoline outside the home (i.e., in a garage or lawn shed) in a tightly closed metal or plastic container approved by an independent testing laboratory or the local or state fire authorities. Never store gasoline in glass containers or non-reusable plastic containers (i.e., milk jugs).
• Store only enough gasoline necessary to power equipment and let machinery cool before refueling it.
• Never use gasoline inside the home or as a cleaning agent.
• Clean up spills promptly and discard of clean-up materials properly.
• Do not smoke when handling gasoline.
• Never use gasoline in place of kerosene.
• Use caution when fueling automobiles. Do not get in and out of the automobile when fueling. Although rare, an electrical charge on your body could spark a fire, especially during the dry winter months.
• Only fill portable gasoline containers outdoors. Place the container on the ground before filling and never fill containers inside a vehicle or in the bed of a pick-up truck. 
• Do not use cellular phones or other electrical devices while fueling vehicles.
• For more information on gasoline safety, visit the American Petroleum Institute Web site.
   

POOL CHEMICALS

Liquid and solid chlorine-based oxidizers are commonly sold for home pool care as hydrogen chloride products.  These chemicals can spontaneously combust if contaminated by organic materials (such as body fluids, acid rain, etc.) or hydrocarbon liquids such as fuel or motor oil.  This type of fire will result in toxic fumes that can be extremely dangerous and require resident evacuation.  Store and use pool chemicals according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, and always store them well away from other items.  If the container is punctured or otherwise damaged, properly dispose of the chemicals.

LANDSCAPING / GARDENING

Trim tree limbs so they do not hang over the roof, and keep eaves and gutters free of leaves and other debris that burn easily.  Clear weeds, brush and other flammable vegetation at least 30 feet away from your home, and store firewood away from all structures.