Monday, August 8, 2022

The new normal with Texas heating up? Take action.

Welcome back, to Extreme Texas Heat. I hope that yall stayed informed with the blog about the extreme heat here in Texas. As of now, Texas on average currently has more than 60 days of extreme heat a year, with a projection to reach 115 days a year by 2050 (States at Risk, n.d.). Nationally on average, around 702 heat-related deaths occur each year (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], n.d.). It has been rough with the weather conditions but by recognizing and informing others about the dangers of extreme heat, morbidity and mortality can be greatly reduced as heat-related deaths and illnesses can be prevented. 


Everyone should continue to learn more about extreme heat and continue to take action. By informing, preparing, and responding to extreme heat, can help with staying healthy and safe in such hazardous conditions. Organizations that help support extreme heat include the United States Department of Homeland Security, which consists of the Federal emergency management agency (FEMA), the American Red Cross, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), The National Weather Service (NWS), and The National of Health (NIH). 


Be aware of those around you, if you have any that are vulnerable to the extreme heat such as those who are pregnant, newborns, children, elderly, or chronically ill individuals, check on them to make sure they are doing good. Make sure that they are hydrated, don’t engage in strenuous activities, rest, and stay cool as much as possible. Other groups/factors that are impacted include those who are experiencing homelessness, urban areas by the heat island effect, outdoor workers, low-income families, and the indigenous/black population (Centers for Climate and Energy Solutions, 2021). 


Recommendations include staying cool, staying hydrated, and staying informed. Staying cool includes wearing loose clothing such as those that are lightweight and light in color in the summer heat. Stay indoors as much as possible during heat waves, to prevent the body from overheating. Wear sunscreen if out, and know when to re-apply. Staying hydrated includes, drinking enough water such as making sure you have enough electrolytes/minerals in the system. Also stay away from surgery or alcoholic beverages, as it can make you lose more body fluids. Stay informed as much as possible by looking at local news about if there is going to be a heat wave in the area. Check local news/ health stations to see the tips and recommendations for staying safe in extreme heat. Know the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses and how to properly treat them. If everyone in the community does this, the impact of heat-related illnesses and death can significantly decrease. So why not take action to have a better impact on health in your local community? 


As extreme heat is one of the top leading causes of weather-related killers in the United States, It’s important for everyone to watch this awareness video as it talks about what is extreme heat, who it affects, and tips to stay safe. By knowing all the information needed, heat-related illnesses and death can be prevented.







Discussion Prompt: What should you do if you work in such hot environments? How do you protect yourselves?

As always, stay cool, stay hydrated, and stay informed about extreme heat. In case of an emergency, please call 911. Overall, be prepared for extreme heat before doing any activities that require outdoor use. Prevention is key! Thanks again, for checking out Extreme Texas Heat. Peace out - Texas Lin. 






References: 


Center for Climate and Energy Solutions. (2021, September 14). Equity in resilience: Addressing the unequal health impacts of extreme heat. Center for Climate and Energy Solutions.https://www.c2es.org/2021/09/equity-in-resilience-addressing-the-unequal-health-impacts-of-extreme-heat/#:~:text=Some%20physiological%20conditions%20can%20make,especially%20sensitive%20to%20heat%20exposure.


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Heat & Health tracker. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://ephtracking.cdc.gov/Applications/heatTracker/


States at Risk. (n.d.). Texas Extreme Heat. States at Risk. Retrieved August 7, 2022, from https://statesatrisk.org/texas/extreme-heat


 


Sunday, August 7, 2022

The Fight for Controlling Extreme Heat

 National Level

At a national level, The National Weather Service (NWS), is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the United States Department of Commerce which was founded in 1870. The NWS's mission is to protect the economy, life and property while also help with providing those in the United States with forecasts, warnings, water, climate data, and weather (NOAA’s National Weather Service, n.d.). NWS's goal is to help those understand the dangers of extreme heat and how to prepare for it as it pertains to heat safety resources. The website is intended to help prepare for those extreme heat events, inform about the health dangers of heat, what to do in a heat wave, educational materials, and games/activities for children to help them stay out of danger of the heat (NOAA’s National Weather Service, 2022).

One of the community interventions provided was an Excessive Heat Event Guidebook which was developed in 2006 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminrationan (NOAA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This guide gives communities such as public health officials, emergency management organizations, meteorologists, and community officials information about how to develop one's own mitigation plan to help with preparing for the extreme heat and knowing how to respond to it. Within the guidebook, responses include having phone lines available to call when reporting any heat-related health concerns, broadcasting heat exposures symptoms with tips, making sure that public/private buildings have air conditions for shelters, better transportation centers, extending operation hours at community centers, have extra staff for emergency support services, increase outreach to homeless shelters, evaluate environmental conditions, suspend utility shutoffs, and rescheduling of public events when the weather is too hot (Environmental Protection Agency [EPA], n.d.). Other methods to help reduce the severity of HRI, it’s recommended to sip cool water, wear loosen clothing, move to cooler areas as needed, and seek medical help as a last option.  As heat-related illnesses can be prevented, being informed about what the dangers are, along with being prepared for it can help with reducing the effects of extreme heat. 




Local Level


In a local setting, the Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS), was established in 1846. DCHHS's mission is to help protect the health of those who live in Dallas County, by doing assessments, community education, promoting healthy behaviors, promoting environmental health, health services, regulation, disease monitoring, disease prevention, and intervention (Dallas County Health and Human Services [DCHHS], n.d.). DCHHS has multiple cooling locations throughout the county to help assist with keeping those cool down in Texas summer heat and also providing meals at certain locations. DCHHS also provides information about general tips for the heat, protecting the elderly, families, neighbors, and pets. DCHHS started a program called Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), to assist in any weather-related hazards. The purpose of the program is to help with addressing health and safety needs, offer small home repairs for the installation of AC units, and also reduce energy usage (DCHHS, n.d.). One of the programs for beating the heat consists of providing an emergency window air condition program to those who are low-income residents (DCHHS, n.d.). As heat-related deaths can be prevented, it’s good to know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat exhaustion consists of dizziness, thirst, heavy sweating, nausea, and weakness. Heat stroke consists of confusion, dizziness, and being unconscious. Knowing the signs and symptoms can lead to acting fast which can consist of staying hydrated, dressing for the heat, taking more rest breaks often, finding cool shaded areas, and seeking medical help if needed.



In the section provided below, is an infographic in regards to extreme heat. Infographic on the services The National Weather Service (NWS) provides along with the Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) for Dallas County. This can be shared and downloaded as an educational flyer to provide to those experiencing extreme heat and heat-related illness to help keep the community informed and well educated. 





References: 

DCHHS. (n.d.). Heat safety. Dallas County. https://www.dallascounty.org/departments/dchhs/heat-safety.php 

DCHHS. (n.d.). Weatherization. Dallas County. https://www.dallascounty.org/departments/dchhs/weatherization.php 

Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Excessive heat events guidebook. Environmental Protection Agency. https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-03/documents/eheguide_final.pdf 

NOAA's National Weather Service. (2022, July 26). Heat safety tips and resources. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service. https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat 

NOAA's National Weather Service. (n.d.). About the NWS. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service.  https://www.weather.gov/about/

The new normal with Texas heating up? Take action.

Welcome back, to Extreme Texas Heat. I hope that yall stayed informed with the blog about the extreme heat here in Texas. As of now, Texas o...