DEPUTY MAYOR RANDY MASTRO AND JERRY HAUER, DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT,
ADVISE NEW YORKERS ON WAYS TO BEAT THE HEAT
With the National Weather Service predicting high heat, humidity, and a 60% chance of thunderstorms later this afternoon, Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro and Jerry Hauer, Director of the Mayor's Office of Emergency Management, today offered New Yorkers advice on how to "Beat the Heat," stay safe during a thunderstorm, and conserve electricity to avoid a power outage.
Beat The Heat
To protect yourself from the adverse effects of the heat, you should do the following things:
* Avoid strenuous activity.
* Avoid direct exposure to the sun, particularly during peak hours between 11am and 4pm.
* Drink plenty of fluids. Water and diluted juices are your best choices. Stay away from carbonated drinks, as well as drinks containing caffeine. Those on fluid-restricted diets or taking diuretics should consult their physician.
* Avoid alcohol. Alcohol can actually harm one's ability to cool oneself.
* Salt tablets should be avoided. Salty food intake can be increased if necessary.
* Wear lightweight, light colored, loose fitting clothing.
* Keep rooms well-ventilated with air conditioners and fans. Do not keep your windows closed if you don't have a fan or air conditioning. Any breeze is a good breeze!
* Cool down with repeated cool baths or showers, even if there is no electrical power.
* Participate in activities that will keep you cool, such as going to the movies, the mall, the beach, or a pool.
Personal Health and Safety
In addition to being uncomfortable, a heat wave can cause a wide variety of medical emergencies. According to Dr. Benjamin Mojica, Acting Commissioner of the Department of Health, "Extreme heat and direct exposure to sunlight can be dangerous and in some cases even cause death, and so I urge New Yorkers to follow Mayor Giuliani's recommendations."
In order to further safeguard your health, and the health of your loved ones and neighbors, the Department of Health offers the following tips:
* Never leave your children or pets in an enclosed automobile.
* Get immediate help if a person appears to be in trouble because of the heat. Excessive heat is the cause of two dangerous health conditions that require emergency medical attention:
HEAT STROKE
This is the most serious heat-related condition, and it requires a doctor's immediate attention and treatment. Symptoms of heat stroke can vary, but a person suffering from heat stroke experiences a rise in body temperature to 103 degrees or greater (though the person may feel chilled), a rapid heart beat and pulse, but little to no sweating. Other symptoms include red, hot and dry skin, throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and unconsciousness.
HEAT EXHAUSTION
occurs before heat stroke and is characterized by sudden weakness, dizziness, nausea, headache, profuse sweating, and a feeling of faintness.
If any of these symptoms occur, the individual should relocate to a cool, preferably air conditioned environment, and relax. Cool soaks should be applied to the neck, face and arms, and the individual should be encouraged to drink plenty of water or a beverage that contains electrolytes (such as a sports drink). Under no circumstances should an unconscious or stuporous person be given anything to drink by mouth.
In an emergency, or if you have questions, call the Health Department's Poison Control Center, available 24 hours a day, at 212-340-4494, 212-764-7667, or 212-POISONS. TDD/TTY users can call 212-689-9014.
Protection for citizens who are particularly vulnerable to the heat. A small but crucial gesture can help ensure that we all have a safe and healthy summer: Get to know your neighbors, and contact neighbors and relatives - in person or by phone - at least twice a day.
Pay special attention to the elderly, the very young, and anyone with a pre-existing medical condition. The Department For the Aging is asking New Yorkers to check up on older neighbors who may be isolated from friends and family. "Many older New Yorkers live alone and could suffer unnecessarily in the heat because they're isolated from friends and family," said Department for the Aging Commissioner Herbert W. Stupp. "Checking up on the well-being of your elderly neighbors can help to make their summer season a safe and healthy one." Seniors should keep their homes well ventilated, and seek immediate help if they feel signals of heat stress.
Improper Fire Hydrant Use
While it may be tempting for citizens to cool off by opening a fire hydrant, the Fire Department warns all New Yorkers about the dangers of improperly used fire hydrants, and urges the use of "spray caps."
According to Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen, "Improper use of fire hydrants is dangerous to both citizens and firefighters. An open hydrant wastes 1,000 gallons of water per minute, overtaxes the sewer system, and causes flooding of City streets. It also places the lives of citizens and firefighters in jeopardy by lowering water pressure to dangerous levels, hampering the ability to get water on a fire quickly and safely."
Properly used "spray caps" reduce hydrant output to a safe 25 gallons per minute while still providing relief from the heat. Spray caps and hydrant wrenches are available at any New York City Firehouse.
Important Lightning Safety Tips
While thunderstorms are among Mother Nature's most spectacular creations, they are also among her most dangerous. The smartest action you can take when a storm approaches is Go Inside!
The safest place to be in a lightning storm is indoors. Automobiles are also very effective in protecting you from a big shock because the current flows through the metal frames of the car. If you are in a car, do not touch any exposed metal that is connected to the car. Indoors means indoors. Structures like bus shelters or any small non-metal structures do not give sufficient lightning protection.
If you are in a house or building, do not use the telephone or any electrical appliance that is connected to the building's electrical wiring. Do not use showers, sinks, or anything where you are in contact with water that is, in turn, in contact with the building's plumbing system. If lightning strikes the building you are in, it is likely the current will flow through either the electrical wiring or the water pipes, and you may receive a possibly fatal shock if you are in contact with the wiring or watering system.
If you are caught outside:
Stay away from tall, isolated objects like trees, flagpoles, or posts, and avoid large open areas like fields or parking lots where you are the relatively highest object. Stay away from lakes, ponds, railroad tracks, and fences, which could bring current from a "far away" lightning strike to you. Dense woods are relatively safe due to the large number of trees that decrease the chance of lightning striking a tree next to you, but do not stand close to any of the trees. If there is no shelter, crouch down, grab your ankles, and bend forward, in a position where your head is not the highest part of your body and where your head does not touch the ground. Do not lie flat on the ground. If lightning is about to strike you or something extremely close, you may experience a tingling feeling on your skin and/or your hair may stand on end. If this occurs, quietly get into the position described above. Even if you are caught outside in a thunderstorm, don't panic. It is unlikely that you will not be able to find sufficient shelter.
Lightning strike victims
Victims of lightning strikes are not always initially in a fatal situation. Typically, a lightning strike will cause "only" a cardiac arrest that can be corrected by proper resuscitation. Many lightning-related deaths occur when the victim does not receive the proper medical attention, so make it a priority to know Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). For information on how to learn CPR, contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross. Of course, during a medical emergency, dial 911.
ENERGY-SAVING TIPS
During periods of intense electrical usage, such as on hot, humid days like today, it is important to conserve energy as much as possible to avoid brownouts and other electrical disruptions.
Air Conditioners (General):
Set the control no lower than 78 degrees F. (A 75F setting uses 18% more electricity and a 72F setting uses 39% more electricity.) This setting allows for sufficient cooling while still conserving electric power.
Use an air conditioner only when home. If you want to cool your room down before you arrive home, use a timer to have it come on no more than one-half hour before you arrive.
If your neighborhood is experiencing serious electrical distribution problems, ConEd or LILCO may ask you to:
Turn off all non-essential appliances.
Wait until the problems are resolved before using your Washer/Dryer.
Turn off unneeded A/Cs. If necessary try to limit the use of air conditioning to one room.
Use fans when possible, especially in late afternoons when demand is highest.
While diminishing your power usage may seem like an inconvenience, your cooperation will help to ensure that utilities are able to continue to provide uninterrupted electrical service to you and your neighbors.
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