Connecticut State Department of Public Health

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                  Connecticut Department of Public Health

June 9, 2011                                                    Contact: William Gerrish

                                                                        (860) 509-7270

 

Hartford — The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) is urging people to protect their health during the extreme heat.

 

“Extreme hot weather can be very dangerous, especially for the elderly, young children, and those who work outdoors,” said DPH Commissioner Dr. Jewel Mullen. “It’s important that people take frequent breaks, drink a lot of fluids, stay indoors or in the shade when it’s most hot, and wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing to beat the heat.”

 

Getting too hot can make you sick. You can become ill from the heat if your body can't compensate for it and properly cool you off. Heat exposure can even kill you: it caused 8,015 deaths in the United States from 1979 to 2003.

The Department of Public Health offers the following safety tips to prevent heat-related illnesses, injuries, and deaths during hot weather:

·         Stay cool indoors.

·         Drink plenty of fluids.

·         Replace salt and minerals.

·         Wear appropriate clothing and sunscreen.

·         Schedule outdoor activities carefully.

·         Pace yourself.

·         Use a buddy system.

·         Check in on the elderly or others with chronic health conditions

·         Adjust to the environment 

·         If a home is not air-conditioned, spend time in public facilities that are air-conditioned.

·         Do not leave children in cars.

·         Use common sense.

 

For more information on how to stay healthy and safe in extreme heat, visit the Department of Public Health website at www.ct.gov/dph/extremeheat. 

 

The Connecticut Department of Public Health is the state’s leader in public health policy and advocacy with a mission to protect and promote the health and safety of the people of our state.  To contact the department, please visit its website at www.ct.gov/dph  or call (860) 509-7270.

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