Currently the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) once again is proving to be a great sucess. The participation from our Huntsville City School community has been very special as always. We want to thank all of you for taking advantage of our program as it assists with the nutritional needs of young children throughout Huntsville. We only have a couple weeks of operating this program left and we will offer meals up until July 14, 2022.

We want to wish everyone a happy Fourth of July. Also, please be mindful of the high temperatures if you are planning to be outdoors and please remember to stay hydrated.

- H. Ward

by Dr. Nestor Rodriguez

WRMC Emergency Medicine Physician

Jun 24, 2022

School’s out and that means one thing, summer is officially here. As the days grow

longer and brighter, many of us will be taking full advantage of summer, whether its

enjoying backyard barbeques, lazy days by the pool or even the occasional fireworks

display. No matter how one chooses to enjoy summer, it’s important to stay alert and

protect themself and their family from potential threats to health and safety.

Topping the list of summertime hazards are extreme heat and drowning. The good

news is heat-related illness and water dangers can be easily prevented.

Extreme heat is the number one weather-related killer in the U.S. and overexposure

can be especially dangerous for children, seniors, those with preexisting illnesses and

patients on certain types of prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines. There are

three major types of heat-related health conditions you should be familiar with:

• Heat cramps typically occur in the stomach, arms and legs, and are the result of

losing too much water and salt. They’re often the first sign of a heat-related illness and

can lead to more serious conditions like heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

• Heat exhaustion occurs when your body loses too much water and salt, and can’t

cool itself. It typically presents as a combination of many symptoms, including

headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, irritability, thirst, heavy sweating, elevated

body temperatures, decreased urine output and skin that appears cool, moist, pale,

ashen or flushed. If left untreated, heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke.

• Heat stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when the body has lost excessive

amounts of water and salt, and is completely overwhelmed by heat. Characterized by

dizziness, fainting, loss of consciousness, slurred speech, confusion, agitation,

hallucinations and an altered mental state, a heat stroke requires immediate medical

attention, as it can lead to organ failure and death. Placing ice packs in the patient’s

armpits and groin area can help with cooling while being transported to medical care.

•Be aware of temperature and humidity levels in the area and avoid going outdoors for

activities or exercise in extreme heat.

• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, regardless of how active you are (and

remember to keep your pets hydrated too!). Sports drinks can also be helpful to

replace salts and provide some sugar.

• Always use an SPF-15 or higher sunscreen that protects against both UV-A and UV-B

rays, applying 30 minutes prior to exposure and reapplying accordingly.

• Never leave infants, children or animals in cars unattended, even if the windows are

cracked open.

• Take frequent breaks when enjoying the outdoors, especially if one is not

accustomed to working or exercising in a hot environment.

• Break out your favorite lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing.

• Take advantage of cooler areas (even when outside), and when the temperature rises

above 90 degrees, consider switching to an indoor activity.

• Stay mindful of the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses and know how to

respond.

For more detailed information about heat-related illnesses, their symptoms and how

to respond, visit https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/index.html.

Nothing feels better than a dip in the water in summer, but it’s important to keep your

safety in mind at all times. Every year in the U.S. there is an estimated average of 11

drowning deaths per day and an estimated average of 22 non-fatal drownings per day.

Drowning can happen in seconds and is often silent. And even non-fatal drowning can

result in very serious injuries, permanent disabilities and long-term health problems.

Like heat-related illness, drowning can be prevented.

Be it poolside, lakeside or

beachside, the tips listed below are key to ensuring a fun, safe summer for all:

• Only swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.

• Always swim with a buddy, especially if you have a seizure disorder or other medical

condition that increases your risk of drowning.

• Never dive in the shallow end of a pool.

• Designate a responsible adult to supervise children closely and constantly when they

are in or near water (including bathtubs).

• Make sure young children and inexperienced swimmers always wear U.S. Coast

Guard-approved life jackets around natural water and swimming pools.

• Always be cautious around natural bodies of water, which can contain hidden

hazards like dangerous currents, underwater objects and limited visibility.

• Always wear a life jacket when boating – most boating fatalities occur from drowning.

• Avoid drinking alcohol before or during swimming, boating, and other water

activities, and while you’re supervising children.

• Don’t hyperventilate or hold your breath for long periods of time in water – this can

result in “hypoxic blackout” or “shallow water blackout.”

emergency.

For more information about drowning prevention and statistics about drowning in the

U.S., visit https://www.cdc.gov/drowning/ind

Reference

How to keep cool, healthy all summer long | Lifestyle | wdtimes.com