With international soccer teams, fans, and more coming to Atlanta, the focus will be on the games, festivities, and the heat. The temperatures are expected to be potentially dangerous if people aren’t prepared for it. And with the mixture of the humidity, the weather will feel even warmer than the temperature may show.
Extreme heat can cause people to suffer from heat-related illness, and even death. People suffer from these types of illnesses when their bodies are unable to properly cool themselves. Older adults, young children, athletes, outdoor workers, and people with chronic medical conditions are at high risk. More than 700 people die from extreme heat every year in the United States.
Steps to Protect Yourself
If you are outside, especially for a long time in dangerous heat, follow these steps to protect yourself and others:
- Stay in cooler, shaded or air-conditioned areas when possible
- Drink plenty of fluids even if you don’t feel thirsty
- Schedule outdoor activities carefully:
- Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing and sunscreen
- Pace yourself
- Take breaks from the sun when you can
- Check on others with you to ensure they’re not feeling ill while in the heat
Symptoms of heat-related illness:
If your body gets too hot, you can get sick. Know the symptoms of your body overheating and know when to seek medical care:
Symptoms include:
- Muscle cramping
- Unusually heavy sweating
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Weakness
- Nausea
For more information on how to protect yourself from the dangers of extreme heat, click here: About Heat and Your Health | Heat Health | CDC
To track daily extreme heat-related illnesses in our area and for local heat and health information, click here: CDC Heat & Health Tracker
(Note to news editors: The FCBOH is making our Emergency Preparedness Director available if you are working on a story on this topic today)
The Fulton County Board of Health provides a variety of services that help protect residents from health threats, increase access to health services to improve health outcomes, and provide information that assists Fulton County citizens in living healthier lives. For more information on the Fulton County Board of Health, visit http://www.fultoncountyboh.com
