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■ play it safe Hot weather is hard on


senior citizens Stay cool and stay hydrated to avoid heat-related illness


BY GUY DALE COORDINATOR OF SAFETY & LOSS CONTROL


T


he older we get, the more careful we need to be on the hottest days of summer.


Even when kids and younger adults seem unfazed by a sweltering afternoon, the heat can knock older folks right off their feet. Common health problems among seniors such as poor circulation, inefficient sweat glands, heart, lung or kidney diseases, and high blood pressure, can all affect how an older person’s body deals with heat.


The same holds true for people of any age who take multiple medicines, or who take diuretics or sedatives that may affect their ability to sweat.


At Choctaw Electric, we make sure our linemen and maintenance crews understand the health hazards of working in the intense summer heat. Our crews are instructed to fill their water jugs every


morning before they leave the warehouse and to stay well hydrated throughout the day. They also know how to recognize the symptoms of heat-related illnesses, and know what to do if a crew member shows signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.


Our elderly friends may be less able to spot these symptoms. Complicating matters even more, some seniors don’t feel hot on days when everyone else is sweating, so they may wear too many clothes without realizing the danger.


If you have elderly friends or loved ones, or if you’re a senior citizen yourself, it is wise to be aware of hot weather health hazards and take them seriously. Even better, prepare a hot weather plan in advance so you can avoid the risk. A few suggestions:





If you don’t have an AC, ask a family member or friend to drop you off for the day at your local library or senior center, where it’s cool. Some centers provide transportation.


• • •


Ask your doctor if any of your medications interfere with your ability to cool your body down when it’s hot.


Dress in light, cotton clothes instead of synthetics when the temperature climbs.


Drink plenty of cool water during the day, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine; they can dehydrate the body.


• •


Listen to the weather reports. Stay indoors or go someplace cool when the forecast calls for heat or humidity.


Ask a relative or a neighbor to check in with you every day during the summer, just in case you need some help if the weather gets the better of you.


Have a safe summer, and stay cool. ■


Guy Dale oversees safety programs for Choctaw Electric Cooperative. He also teaches electrical safety classes and CPR courses for the public. To schedule a class, please call him at 800-780-6486, ext. 227.


Lucky Account # 38848045. $75 BILL CREDIT! If this number matches the account number on your bill, you must notify CEC by the 10th of month (via email, phone, or in person) to claim the $75 bill credit. (Unclaimed credits roll over to the next month; up to a $100 bill credit.) Please call 800-780-6486, ext. 207.


Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion •


Headaches, dizziness, or fainting.


• Weakness and moist skin. • Mood changes such as irritability or confusion. •


Upset stomach or vomiting Symptoms of Heat Stroke


• Dry, hot skin with no sweating. • Mental confusion or losing consciousness. •


Seizures or fits.


12 | july 2013


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