rtment of Health And Human Services

 for Disease Control and Prevention
For more information on cold 

Na
and illness are 

ally many people

heat. Historically,

, excessive heat 

15 deaths in the 

uring this period,

extreme heat than

floods, and earth

s were caused by

n their bodies are

ol themselves. The

g. But under some

 In such cases, a 

y. Very high body

ther vital organs.

o cool itself during

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ng the body from

ns related to risk

include age, obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, mentalillness, poor circulation, sunburn, and prescription drug andalcohol use.Because heat-related deaths are preventable, people need tobe aware of who is at greatest risk and what actions can betaken to prevent a heat-related illness or death. The elderly,the very young, and people with mental illness and chronicdiseases are at highest risk. However, even young andhealthy individuals can succumb to heat if they participatein strenuous physical activities during hot weather. Air-conditioning is the number one protective factoragainst heat-related illness and death. If a home is not air-conditioned, people can reduce their risk for heat-relatedillness by spending time in public facilities that are air-conditioned. Summertime activity, whether on the playing field or theconstruction site, must be balanced with measures that aidthe body’s cooling mechanisms and prevent heat-related 

pamphlet tells how you can prevent, recognize, illness. This 

and cope with heat-related health problems.

1
Plan AheadPrepare for extremely cold weather every winter—it’salways a possibility. There are steps you can take in advancefor greater wintertime safety in your home and in your car. 

Emergency Suppli• an alternate way t

- dry firewood - kerosene for 

• furnace fuel (co• electric space 

shut-off switch a

• blankets • matches • multipurpose, dry• first aid kit and • flashlight or bat• battery-powered • battery-powered • extra batteries • non-electric can • snow shovel • rock salt • special needs ite

hearing aid battemedications, etc

Winter Survival Kit for Your Home Keep several days’ supply of these items:• Food that needs no cooking or refrigeration,

such as bread, crackers, cereal, canned foods,and dried fruits. Remember baby food and formula if you have young children. 

• Water stored in clean containers, or purchased

bottled water (5 gallons per person) in caseyour water pipes freeze and rupture. 

• Medicines that any family member may need.

If your area is prone to long periods of cold temperatures, or if your home is isolated, stockadditional amounts of food, water, and medicine.

2
als from the body.

must be replaced. If

asses of cool, non

verage can replace

However, if you are

r before drinking a

g 

n you are at home. 

se-fitting clothing.

ol itself and causes

n and damages the

sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (the most

say “broad spectrum” products effective

on their protection” or “UVA/UVB 

minutes prior to going out. labels) 30 

according to the Continue to reapply it 

package directions.

Schedule OutdoorActivities CarefullyIf you must be outdoors, try to limit

vity to morning your outdoor acti

and evening hours. Try to restoften in shady areas so that yourbody’s thermostat will have a chance to recover.Pace YourselfIf you are not accustomed to working or exercising in a hotenvironment, start slowly and pick up the pace gradually. If

ertion in the heat makes your heart pound and leaves you ex

gasping for breath, STOP all activity. Get into a cool areaor at least into the shade, and rest, especially if you becomelightheaded, confused, weak, or faint.

3
Prepare Your Car for WinterYou can avoid many dangerous winter travel problems byplanning ahead. Have maintenance service on your vehicleas often as the manufacturer recommends. In addition,every fall: • Have the radiator system serviced, or check the

antifreeze level yourself with an antifreeze tester. Add antifreeze, as needed. 

• Replace windshield-wiper fluid with a wintertime mixture.• Replace any worn tires, and check the

air pressure in the tires. 

During winter, keep the gas tank nearfull to help avoid ice in the tankand fuel lines.

Winter SurEquip your car 

• blankets • first aid kit • a can and w

matches (to snow for wa

• windshield s• booster cabl• road maps • mobile phon• compass • tool kit • paper towels • bag of sand 

(to pour on ifor added tr

4
perature, such as an

l to your body. You

if you limit your 

stomed to the heat.

w several days to

ng any vigorous 

n sense: 

— 

lts 

ose clothing and 

or an umbrella.

ours and in places 

eaches.

 in a parked car. 

ur pets, and leave 

5
Conserve HeatYou may need fresh air coming in for your heater or foremergency cooking arrangements. However, if you don’tneed extra ventilation, keep as much heat as possible insideyour home. Avoid unnecessary opening of doors or windows.Close off unneeded rooms, stuff towels or rags in cracksunder doors, and close draperies or cover windows withblankets at night. Monitor Body TemperatureInfants less than one year old should never sleep in a coldroom because (1) infants lose body heat more easily thanadults; and (2) unlike adults, infants can’t make enoughbody heat by shivering. Provide warm clothing for infantsand try to maintain a warm indoor temperature. If the temperature cannot be maintained, make temporaryarrangements to stay elsewhere. In an emergency, you cankeep an infant warm using your own body heat. If you mustsleep, take precautions to prevent rolling on the baby.Pillows and other soft bedding can also present a risk ofsmothering; remove them from the area near the baby. Older adults often make less body heat because of a slowermetabolism and less physical activity. If you are over 65

years of age, checduring severely cfriends and neighbare adequately hea

Keep a WateExtreme cold can chome to freeze When very cold te• Leave all water t

drip continuousl

• Keep the indoor • Improve the circ

pipes. For examdoors beneath th

If your pipes do fInstead, thaw them an electric hair dryIf you cannot thaw use bottled water oan emergency mesnow can be melte

6
 be dealing with a

e call for immediate

ooling the victim. 

ever methods you 

m in a tub of 

cool shower; 

a garden hose; 

or if the humidity 

 sheet and fan him 

continue cooling 

ps to 101–102°F. 

 delayed, call the 

nstructions. 

 

sible. 

Sometimes a victim’s muscles will begin to twitch uncontrollably as a result of heat stroke. If this happens,

eep the victim from injuring himself, but do not place any

kobject in the mouth and do not give fluids. If there is 

omiting, make sure the airway remains open by turning

vthe victim on his or her side. 

Heat ExhaustionHeat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness thatcan develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids.It is the body’s response to an excessive loss of the waterand salt contained in sweat. Those most prone to heat

xhaustion are elderly people, people with high blood pressure, e

and people working or exercising in a hot environment.

7
Avoid ExertionCold weather puts an extra strain on the heart. If you haveheart disease or high blood pressure, follow your doctor’sadvice about shoveling snow or performing other hardwork in the cold. Otherwise, if you have to do heavy outdoor chores, dress warmly and work slowly. Remember,your body is already working hard just to stay warm, sodon’t overdo it. Understand Wind ChillThe Wind Chill index is the temperature your body feelswhen the air temperature is combined with the wind speed.It is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin causedby the effects of wind and cold. As the speed of the windincreases, it can carry heat away from your body muchmore quickly, causing skin temperature to drop. When thereare high winds, serious weather-related health problems aremore likely, even when temperatures are only cool. The Wind Chill Chart to the right shows the differencebetween actual air temperature and perceived temperature,and amount of time until frostbite occurs.8

National Weather Service 

http://w
e these steps:

n a 

 

y 

s 

 

damages the skin.

r and healing often

nburn may require

 the skin becomes

 sun exposure.

What to DoConsult a doctor if the sunburn affects an infant youngerthan 1 year of age or if these symptoms are present:

er • Fev

Fluid-filled blisters •

ere pain ev • S

Also, remember these tips when treating sunburn:

oid repeated sun exposure. 

v • A

Apply cold compresses or immerse •the sunburned area in cool water. Apply moisturizing lotion to •affected areas. Do not use salve, 

utter, or ointment. 

bDo not break blisters. •

9
What to Do if You Get StrandedStaying in your vehicle when stranded is often the safestchoice if winter storms create poor visibility or if roadwaysare ice covered. These steps will increase your safety when stranded: • Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna

as a signal to rescuers and raise the hoodof the car (if it is not snowing). 

• Move anything you need from the trunk

into the passenger area. 

• Wrap your entire body, including your

head, in extra clothing, blankets, or newspapers. 

• Stay awake. You will be less vulnerable to

cold-related health problems. 

• Run the motor (and heater) for about 10 minutes per

hour, opening one window slightly to let in air. Makesure that snow is not blocking the exhaust pipe—this willreduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. 

• As you sit, keep moving your arms and legs to improve

your circulation and stay warmer. 

• Do not eat unmelted snow because it

will lower your body temperature. 

• Huddle with other people

for warmth.

Cold-WeHealth ESerious health prexposure to the coproblems are hypoHypothermiaWhen exposed to lose heat faster than to cold will eventuThe result is hypotature. Body tempemaking the victim This makes hypothperson may not kndo anything about Hypothermia is mit can occur even person becomes csubmersion in cold 

10
t Hot Tip...

asures are not a substitute for medical care but may help you

pond promptly to warning signs of trouble. Your best defense

illness is prevention. Staying cool and making simple changes

, activities, and clothing during hot weather can help you to

lthy.

11
Frostbite

Frostbite is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing.Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in affected areas.It most often affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, ortoes. Frostbite can permanently damage the body, andsevere cases can lead to amputation. The risk of frostbite isincreased in people with reduced blood circulation andamong people who are not dressed properly for extremelycold temperatures. Recognizing FrostbiteAt the first signs of redness or pain in any skin area, get outof the cold or protect any exposed skin—frostbite may bebeginning. Any of the following signs may indicate frostbite:• a white or grayish-yellow skin area • skin that feels unusually firm or waxy • numbnessA victim is often unaware of frostbite until someone elsepoints it out because the frozen tissues are numb.

What to DoIf you detect symBecause frostbite anfirst determine whhypothermia, as dmore serious medmedical assistanceIf (1) there is frostimmediate medical • Get into a warm • Unless absolutel

feet or toes—thi

• Immerse the af

(the temperature unaffected parts 

• Or,

warm the a

For example, thused to warm fr

• Do not rub the 

massage it at all

• Don’t use a hea

a stove, fireplaceareas are numb 

12 
Frostbite

Frostbite is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing.Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in affected areas.It most often affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, ortoes. Frostbite can permanently damage the body, andsevere cases can lead to amputation. The risk of frostbite isincreased in people with reduced blood circulation andamong people who are not dressed properly for extremelycold temperatures. Recognizing FrostbiteAt the first signs of redness or pain in any skin area, get outof the cold or protect any exposed skin—frostbite may bebeginning. Any of the following signs may indicate frostbite:• a white or grayish-yellow skin area • skin that feels unusually firm or waxy • numbnessA victim is often unaware of frostbite until someone elsepoints it out because the frozen tissues are numb.

What to DoIf you detect symBecause frostbite anfirst determine whhypothermia, as dmore serious medmedical assistanceIf (1) there is frostimmediate medical • Get into a warm • Unless absolutel

feet or toes—thi

• Immerse the af

(the temperature unaffected parts 

• Or,

warm the a

For example, thused to warm fr

• Do not rub the 

massage it at all

• Don’t use a hea

a stove, fireplaceareas are numb 

12