Extreme Heat Safety 07
Extreme Heat Safety 07 : Preparing Your Community for Extreme Heat Events: (c) Additional Strategies to Prevent Heat-Related Illnesses: In addition to those essential elements described above, there are more strategies that may be included in a local heat response plan. Not all of the following strategies will be feasible or appropriate for every location. The best strategies for any given jurisdiction utilize local resources and are tailored to the at risk populations within the community. For a listing of some of the strategies that can be implemented in Kansas [See: Extreme Heat Safety 09: Preparing Your Community for Extreme Heat Events: Table 6 (below)]. (1) Coordinate distribution of information on heat exposure symptoms and tips on how to stay cool for public broadcasts: Educating the public and communicating prevention information to them before and during an extreme heat event is critical to reducing illnesses and deaths due to extreme heat exposure. Publicly broadcasting cooling tips and symptoms of excessive heat exposure should complement broadcasts about the extreme heat conditions and help residents respond to the heat appropriately (e.g., stay well-hydrated, seek air-conditioned locations, minimize direct sun exposure). See Appendix A for a sample press release. A tip sheet for preventing heat illnesses can be found at: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heattips.asp. (2) Disseminate information related to preventing heat-related illnesses to community organizations and facilities with concentrations of high-risk individuals: Developing a database/list of facilities (e.g., those with mobility/health impaired residents) and organizations that serve vulnerable populations and their locations aids prioritization of prevention efforts to populations vulnerable to extreme heat and facilitates dissemination of extreme heat information to the organizations that serve these populations through faxes, emails, and/or telephone contact trees. For example, nursing homes and senior living centers that might not have air conditioning should be contacted and provided information to ensure that their populations are staying cool and are being assessed for symptoms of overexposure to heat. (3) Activate a heat line: An emergency heat line provides real-time advice and information during extreme heat events that can help prevent heat-related illnesses. A heat line can be activated when the response plan is activated or heat-related messages can be incorporated into more general, full-time systems. Monitoring heat line calls and 911 calls made during an extreme heat event can provide information about how well the community is adapting to the heat. A "reverse 911" call system can be activated, so that numbers that call 911 during an extreme heat event can be dialed and notified of current information on weather forecasts and safety measures. (4) Identify and designate buildings with air conditioning as public cooling centers and extend hours of operation: Spending time in an air-conditioned building during an extreme heat event is one of the most effective means of reducing a person's risk of developing a heat-related illness. Work with partners to identify and designate specific public or private buildings with air conditioning as official cooling centers. If possible choose buildings with back-up generators for cooling centers. Cooling centers should be ADA accessible and monitored by appropriate staff. Information on providing full access to a cooling center can be found in Chapter 7 of the ADA Best Practices Tool Kit for State and Local Governments, available online at: http://www.ada.gov/pcatoolkit/toolkitmain.htm . Extending the hours of operation of the cooling centers increases the opportunity for high-risk individuals to spend time in an air-conditioned environment. Providing free public transportation to cooling centers helps individuals who may have limited access to transportation and financial resources to reach the center. (5) Work with the public and private sector to allow public gathering at buildings with air conditioning and extend hours of operation: Allowing the public to congregate freely at air-conditioned places where they already frequent, such as shopping malls, libraries and movie theaters, can increase the use of air conditioned buildings and minimize negative health impacts. Agreements should be made with the owners of these buildings before announcements are made to the public about visiting the facilities. Many of the people who are at greatest risk for negative health effects from an extreme heat event may regularly visit specific air-conditioned locations and may be more likely to go to these places versus a cooling center. Hours of operation of public spaces, such as libraries and public swimming pool, may be extended to increase accessibility for working families. Providing free public transportation to cool places during an extreme heat event helps individuals who may have limited access to transportation and financial resources to reach a cool destination. (6) Outreach to vulnerable populations: Some high-risk individuals (e.g., elderly living alone, homeless persons) need to be contacted directly, and, preferably, observed several times a day during an extreme heat event to ensure that cooling tips are being followed (e.g., fluids are being consumed, appropriate clothing is being worn) and that any symptoms of overexposure are recognized and alleviated as early as possible. Depending on local resources, persons involved in the outreach process can include the following: social and health workers, volunteers, church organizations, other nongovernmental agencies, and the police. Additional efforts must be made to outreach and evaluate the homeless. Increased outreach efforts should be supported by authorizing officials to move individuals believed to be experiencing medical difficulties or at extreme risk to cooling shelters for observation and treatment. (7) Arrange for extra staffing of emergency support services: Extreme heat events place additional burdens on emergency medical and social support services through increased use of these services. Increasing staffing helps avert any crises that may arise from the systems becoming overwhelmed. Hospital administrators should be encouraged to prepare for increased patient loads during extreme heat events. (8) Suspend utility shutoffs and provide transportation and financial assistance: Local governments should develop partnerships and/or policies to prevent power and water companies from shutting off services to their customers due to nonpayment of bills during extreme heat events. Drinking water, taking cool baths/showers and using air conditioners are some of the most effective ways of preventing heat-related morbidity and mortality. Free bus passes and/or other subsidized means of transportation to cooling centers also should be provided to low-income people. Vouchers for buying air conditioners and financial aid for electricity bills are other ways of providing assistance to low-income people. (9) Provide water at public places: Providing sources of clean potable drinking water at strategic locations in public places (e.g., parks, malls and cooling centers) enhances people's ability to stay hydrated. (10) Reschedule Outdoor Public Events when Possible: Developing and implementing policies that identify when large outdoor events or activities (e.g., sports games, outdoor camps, concerts) should be canceled or rescheduled due to extreme heat can help prevent heat-related illnesses. To the extent that local officials can control these events (e.g., through permits or use of facilities), efforts should be taken to reschedule an event or, when rescheduling is not feasible, require water stations, medical staff and/or "cool zones" for attendees. (11) Provide Information to Pet Owners on Protecting their Pets from Extreme Heat: Some pet owners are reluctant to leave their homes to go to a cool place if they cannot bring their pets with them. Providing messages to pet owners on tips for keeping their pet cool and hydrated can help to alleviate their anxiety. Also, pet owners can be encouraged to call their veterinarian if they have any specific concerns. If possible, identify a local cool place that may be willing to accept people and their pets. (12) Prepare Strategies for a Power Outage: If a wide-spread power outage occurs during an extreme heat event, air conditioning may be unavailable. Ideally, messages regarding tips on how to stay cool and hydrated have already been provided to the public and vulnerable populations. People who do not want to leave their homes and are without air conditioning should be encouraged to drink plenty of water and take cold baths or showers to cool off. Buildings where vulnerable populations reside, such as hospitals, nursing homes, etc. may want to consider buying a back-up generator to ensure that their building will stay cool if there is a power outage
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