Preventing Heat Illness
Avoid the heat
When indoors…

When outdoors…

Use electric fans or air conditioners toadjust the temperature
Use shading curtains, bamboo screens,and sprinkle water
Check your room temperature regularly
Refer to the WBGT value*

Use a parasol and wear a hat
Stay in the shade and take abreak regularly
On sunny days, try to avoid
going outdoors in daytime

To prevent your body from accumulating heat
Wear clothes that breathe well, absorb moisture, and dry quickly
Use ice packs, ice, cold towels, etc. to cool your body
*WBGT value: An index calculated based on the temperature, humidity, and radiant heat
Reference values are provided according to the level of exercise or work.
Observed values and predicted values are indicated on the Ministry of theEnvironment’s website (Heat Illness Prevention Information website).

Stay hydrated
When indoors or outdoors, regularly intake water and salt or drink anoral rehydration solution* even when you do not feel thirsty*Water with salt and glucose dissolved into it“Heat illness” refers to a state where the balance of water and salt in aperson’s body is gradually broken, thermoregulation fails to function
properly, and heat is accumulated in the body, due to being in a hightemperature and high-humidity environment for a long time. It can occur
not only when you are outdoors, but also when staying indoors not doing
any exercise or work. Heat illness victims may be taken to hospital byambulance and in some cases die from it.
In order to prevent health problems caused by heat illness, eachindividual should have a correct understanding of heat illnesses, be aware ofchanges in their physical condition, and look out for those around them.

Heat illness symptoms○Dizziness, giddiness, numbness in limbs, muscle cramp, feeling unwell○Headache, nausea, vomiting, dullness, despondency, different from usual
In serious cases:○Response is not normal, unconsciousness, convulsion, body is hot

If you come across people suspected of heat illness
Take them to a cool place
Take them to a cool place such as an air-conditioned room or shady spotwith good ventilation

Cool their body
Loosen their clothes and cool their body

(Especially around the neck, under the armpits, groins, etc.)

Hydration
Give them water, salt, oral rehydration solution*, etc.
*Water with salt and glucose dissolved into it

If they are unable to drink themselves or unconscious,
call an ambulance right away!
＜Reminders＞
People feel heat in different ways
The way people feel heat depends on their physical condition on that day,whether they are used to heat, and other factors. Be mindful of changes inyour physical condition.

Elderly people, children, and those with disabilities need tobe especially kept an eye on
・ Half of heat illness patients are elderly people aged 65 or above. Caution isnecessary since elderly people are less able to・Children need to be kept an eye on since their body temperatureadjustment functions are not fully developed yet.
・Hydrate yourself regularly even if you do not feel thirsty. Even if you do not
feel hot, measure the room temperature and ambient temperature and try toadjust the temperature using electric fans and air conditioners.

Do not forget to take preventive measures against heatillness by being too conscious of saving power
On days when the temperature and humidity are high, do not try too hardto save power but use electric fans and air conditioners in moderation.

Visit the following websites for heat illness-related information▷ Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Heat illness-related information [introduction of measures, Heat Illness
Prevention Leaflet, Guidelines for Medical Care for Heat Illness, etc.]
http://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/kenkou_iryou/kenkou/nettyuu/“Let’s drink water to keep healthy” campaign
http://www.mhlw.go.jp/topics/bukyoku/kenkou/suido/nomou/
STOP! Heat Illness Cool Work Campaign [preventive measures against heat illness in theworkplace]
http://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/0000116133.html▷ Ministry of the Environment
Heat Illness Prevention Information [heat index (WBGT) forecasts,Environmental
Health Manual on Heat Illnesses, Heat Illness Prevention Leaflet, etc.]
http://www.wbgt.env.go.jp/▷ Japan Metrological Agency
Protecting yourself from heat illness [temperature forecast information, weatherforecasts, etc.]
http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/kishou/know/kurashi/netsu.html

Early Warning Information on Extreme Weather
http://www.jma.go.jp/jp/soukei/▷ Fire and Disaster Management Agency
Heat illness information [situation concerning heat illness victims taken to hospitalby ambulance, etc.]
http://www.fdma.go.jp/neuter/topics/fieldList9_2.html

For details, please see the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s “Heat illness-relatedinformation” website.
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

Heat Illness

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

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