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**National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration**

**National Weather Service**

**Raleigh, North Carolina**

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

As a part of a public awareness and education campaign on the dangers of
heat waves, the National Weather Service office in Raleigh, North
Carolina, has designated July 14, 2005, as Heat Danger Awareness Day in
central North Carolina.

NWS Raleigh heat website: <http://www.erh.noaa.gov/rah/heat/>

**Background:** When the topic of deadly weather arises, most people
tend to think about high-profile events such as tornadoes, hurricanes,
and flooding. However, in reality, [excessive heat is the number one
weather-related killer]{.underline}. National Weather Service statistics
show that heat has led to an average of 237 deaths per year nationwide
over the last decade (1994-2003). All of these deaths could have been
prevented if precautions had been taken and/or quick medical treatment
had been received. Public education on the deadly hazards of excessive
heat is the focus of a new awareness campaign.

**Who is involved:** The National Weather Service office in Raleigh,
North Carolina (NWS Raleigh), in partnership with the North Carolina
High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA).

**What the campaign consists of:** This first stage of the awareness
campaign focused on education of high school athletes and their coaches.
The following materials have been mailed to all high schools within the
31-county area of responsibility of the NWS Raleigh office:

-   An 11x17" color poster for display in each high school

-   Leaflets to be used as handouts

-   Fact Sheet on heat waves, heat index forecasts, and heat illness
    warning signs and prevention tips

-   Suggested ways to raise community awareness of heat dangers

In addition, a new website containing additional information, related
links, and heat index forecasts has been created on the NWS Raleigh web
site (see link above).

**Facts about excessive heat & its effects:**

-   In the last 10 years (1994-2003), excessive heat has been
    responsible for 237 deaths per year.

-   Excessive heat caused 36 deaths and 174 injuries in 2003 (this data
    is preliminary), and 167 deaths and 378 injuries in 2002, according
    to NWS statistics.

-   Most heat-related injuries go unreported.

-   In one highly publicized case from 2002, Minnesota Vikings player
    Korey Stringer collapsed during a morning practice on the second day
    of training camp, and died later that day of heat stroke.

-   Excessive heat effects are cumulative, and the threats grow with
    each successive day of hot weather.

-   People who are not acclimatized to high temperatures and high
    humidities (their bodies are not adjusted to the environmental
    climate), such as those who are visiting or have recently moved to
    the area, are particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of hot
    weather.

-   Heat stroke occurs when the body's cooling system fails, and the
    body's core temperature rises rapidly. Heat stroke victims will
    cease sweating, and the body temperature will rise rapidly to over
    105°F.

-   Heat stroke requires immediate medical attention and cooling of the
    victim. Any delay can result in brain damage, organ failure, or
    death.

-   Symptoms of a serious heat illness include cramps, rapid pulse,
    heavy sweating, hot red skin, headache, dizziness, confusion,
    nausea, and vomiting.

-   Treatment of a heat illness should include getting the victim out of
    the heat, giving the victim sips of cool water, placing cool wet
    cloths or ice packs on the victim's body (especially around the neck
    and under the arms), and seeking medical attention.

-   The heat index is a measure of the combined effects of high
    temperatures and high humidity on the body.

-   Once the heat index approaches 90°F, people doing any outdoor
    activities should exercise caution, and those without air
    conditioning should make sure rooms are well-ventilated or try to
    spend time in a cool place such as a mall or library.

-   A heat index of 105°F or greater is very dangerous. People should
    greatly limit any time outdoors, and spend as much time as possible
    in well-ventilated rooms and air conditioning.

-   The National Weather Service issues 3-hourly heat index forecasts
    out to 72 hours, as well as 3-7 day heat index outlooks, all
    available on the websites above.

-   Typically, the last half of July is the hottest time of the year.

**Specifically for children and teens:**

-   In hot weather, a child's body temperature can rise 3 to 5 times
    faster than an adult's, reaching a dangerous level in a very short
    time.

-   In one study of children at a 4-day soccer camp, 59% of boys and 70%
    of girls were significantly dehydrated by the end of the camp.

-   Teachers and caregivers may want to consider curtailing or canceling
    outdoor activities when the temperature or heat index reaches
    critical levels.

-   In 1996-2000, over 130 children died from heat stroke in vehicles.
    One third of them had become trapped in a car while playing.

-   Children should never be left alone in a vehicle, even with the
    windows rolled down, and they should not be allowed to play in or
    near a vehicle.

**Specifically for athletes and outdoor workers:**

-   Athletes who exercise in excessive heat can suffer from what is
    called exertional heat stroke, wherein the body continues to sweat
    while the core temperature rises. Confusion, disorientation, and
    belligerence are frequent symptoms, and may be followed by collapse
    and loss of consciousness.

-   During periods of hot weather, athletes should limit exercise
    between 10 am and 6 pm, and stay out of the sun as much as possible.

-   In February 2003, Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler died of
    multiple organ failure due to heat stroke, and a dietary supplement
    containing the drug ephedra was ruled to be a contributing factor.

-   Certain medications and drugs can exacerbate the negative effects of
    heat and impair the body's cooling mechanism. Also, diuretics can
    deplete body fluids and lead to dehydration.

-   In 2001, excessive heat exposures lead to 24 worker deaths and 3,135
    occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work.

-   Avoid outside work between 10 am and 6 pm. When working outside,
    wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing.

**Specifically for the elderly:**

-   Many elderly people have an impaired ability to cool the body
    through perspiration.

-   Some medications---such as psychotropics, drugs to treat Parkinson's
    disease, tranquilizers, and other drugs that interfere with body
    temperatures regulation---can inhibit perspiration and/or present a
    danger to those exposed to sunshine. This greatly increases the risk
    of developing a heat illness.

-   Just a few hours a day in air conditioning during a hot spell can
    reduce the risk of developing a heat illness. The elderly,
    especially those with respiratory problems, should spend as much
    time as possible in an air conditioned place during hot weather.

-   Always wear lightweight, light-colored clothing during hot weather.
    Friends and family should make sure the elderly are not overdressed.

**Future plans:** This campaign will be expanded to lower grades and day
care centers, agricultural groups, and elder care facilities. Also, heat
danger awareness materials will be translated into Spanish.

**For further information:**

Jeffrey Orrock, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, NOAA/National
Weather Service, Raleigh NC, 919-515-8209, <jeff.orrock@noaa.gov>

Gail Hartfield, Senior Meteorologist, NOAA/National Weather Service,
Raleigh, NC, 919-515-8209, <gail.hartfield@noaa.gov>

Information sources: NOAA/National Weather Service, U.S. Bureau of
Labor, Occupationalhazards.com, American College of Sports Medicine,
Sportsmedicine.about.com, National Safe Kids Campaign
(www.safekids.org), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National
Institutes of Health, ABCnews.com, Rhode Island Department of Health,
National Institute on Aging, U.S. Food and Drug Administration