secondary - heatwaves - response

HEAT WAVESRESPONSE

SECONDARY LEVEL

e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters

IN THIS LESSON YOU WILL LEARN

●What to do if someone gets hurt or there is another emergency?●What to do / NOT do during an emergency●Monitor animals and pets for heat stress●How you can help.●Safety near open waters


What to do if someone gets hurt or there is another emergency?

.


What to do if someone gets hurt or there is an

emergency?


What to do if someone gets hurt or there is an emergency?


CALL 999

CALLING 999 – STEP ONE


CALM AND BRIEFLY TELL THE OPERATOR WHAT KIND OF EMERGENCY

IT IS

CALLING 999 – STEP TWO


The operator will put you through to thePOLICE orFIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE orAMBULANCE SERVICE

CALLING 999 – STEP THREE


TELL THE OPERATOR➢WHO YOU ARE➢WHAT THE EMERGENCY IS➢WHERE THIS EMERGENCY IS

CALLING 999 – STEP FOUR


IF SOMEONE IS HURT, TELL THE OPERATOR➢WHO IS HURT➢HOW THEY ARE HURT

CALLING 999 – STEP FIVE


FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN BY THE

OPERATORonly after listening to your answers, the operator will

determine what kind of help you need

CALLING 999 – STEP SIX


DON’T HANG UP UNTIL THE

OPERATOR TELLS TO DO SO

All the information you have given to the operator will be transferred to the specific

emergency service(s);if needed, the operator will connect you to a specialist

from ambulance service

CALLING 999 – IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER


SPEAK SLOWLY AND CLEARLY




LISTEN TO THE OPERATOR AND DO AS HE/SHE TELLS

YOU





YOU

DO NOT HANG UP UNTIL THE OPERATOR TELLS YOU TO





YOU

DO NOT HANG UP UNTIL THE OPERATOR TELLS YOU TO

DO NOT CALL 999 IF THERE IS NO EMERGENCY –

YOU MAY SLOW DOWN THE EMERGENCY SERVICES GOING TO HELP SOMEONE IN

DANGER

What TO DO and what NOT TO DO during a HEAT WAVE




Everybody should know how to behave and what to do if a heat wave occurs.



You should stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids even if you do not feel thirsty. Make sure you have informed your parents to avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol. Otherwise, dehydration may occur.



Eat small meals and eat more

often



Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-coloured clothing. Avoid dark colours because they absorb the sun’s rays.



Slow down, stay indoors if possible;



Avoid exercise during the hottest part of the day.



Check on family, friends and neighbours who do not have air conditioning, who spend much of their time alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat



Check on your animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat.

Monitor animals and pets for heat stress




Animals and pets can be affected by heat related illness and anyone in charge of an animal, livestock or a pet has a duty of care to provide food, water and appropriate shelter for the animal.



For example, do you know what you should do and how to behave during the hot summer if you have a pet that is covered in fur? Summers can get very hot, particularly for animals that are covered in fur. It's important to keep your pet cool during the summer.



Observe your animals to see if they are overheated. An overheated pet will have the following symptoms:



Observe your animals to see if they are overheated. An overheated pet will have the following symptoms:•wet fur below the nose



Observe your animals to see if they are overheated. An overheated pet will have the following symptoms:•wet fur below the nose•heavy and fast breathing, almost like panting



Observe your animals to see if they are overheated. An overheated pet will have the following symptoms:•wet fur below the nose•heavy and fast breathing, almost like panting•very red and hot ears



Observe your animals to see if they are overheated. An overheated pet will have the following symptoms:•wet fur below the nose•heavy and fast breathing, almost like panting•very red and hot ears•inactive and not as alert as usual



Observe your animals to see if they are overheated. An overheated pet will have the following symptoms:•wet fur below the nose•heavy and fast breathing, almost like panting•very red and hot ears•inactive and not as alert as usual•eyes may be half closed



• You should make sure your pet cage or hut is out of the sun.

• Cover any windows with blinds and curtains if necessary.

• If this doesn't make a difference, consider moving the cage to the coolest part of the house.


You should also keep the room air conditioned. This will keep the whole room cool enough to be comfortable, which will prevent your pet from overheating. Make sure, however, that the air conditioner isn't on too high: you want the room to be comfortable, not sub-Arctic.




You can use fans to cool your pet. This will create a breeze to cool your animal down. Make sure that your pet can escape from the force of the fan if it gets too cold.



You can also freeze a water bottle and place that inside the cage to create a cool spot for the pet to lie against when too hot.

How can you help?


Who is vulnerable to the effects of a heat wave?


Although everyone is vulnerable to the effects of a heatwave, those most at risk are:



Although everyone is vulnerable to the effects of a heatwave, those most at risk are:Babies and children under four years;



Although everyone is vulnerable to the effects of a heatwave, those most at risk are:Babies and children under four years;Seniors and older people living alone;



Although everyone is vulnerable to the effects of a heatwave, those most at risk are:Babies and children under four years;Seniors and older people living alone;Pregnant women, infants;



Although everyone is vulnerable to the effects of a heatwave, those most at risk are:Babies and children under four years;Seniors and older people living alone;Pregnant women, infants;People taking medications that may affect the body’s ability to regulate temperature,



Although everyone is vulnerable to the effects of a heatwave, those most at risk are:Babies and children under four years;Seniors and older people living alone;Pregnant women, infants;People taking medications that may affect the body’s ability to regulate temperature,Anyone with:

• a chronic or mental illness;




• a chronic or mental illness;• limited or poor mobility; and




• a chronic or mental illness;• limited or poor mobility; and• excess body weight (overweight).




• a chronic or mental illness;• limited or poor mobility; and• excess body weight (overweight).

People who undertake exercise during a heatwave (including animals) are also vulnerable to its effects

How can you help?


You could help others – your friends, collegues, family members and even neighbours – by knowing how to treat heat-related illnesses. During heat waves people are susceptible to three heat-related conditions. Here’s how you can recognise and respond to them

How can you help?


If you, or a person nearby, feels bad with sudden pains in the legs, you should:Get yourself, or the other person, to a cooler place and rest in a comfortable position. Lightly stretch the affected muscle and gently massage the area.Make sure you, or the person takes a glass of fresh water, juice or milk.

Heat Cramps

How can you help?


If you or someone else is feeling poorly you should:Move yourself or the other person to a cooler environment with circulating air. Remove or loosen as much clothing as possibleApply cool, wet cloths or towels to the skin. Spraying the skin with water also can help.

Heat Exhaustion

How can you help?


Remember, heat stroke is life-threatening.

So if you or someone else feels very poorly, call 999 immediately.

Heat Stroke

SAFETY NEAR OPEN WATERS


How can you help?


You should remember that you have to stay safe near open water, especially during the summer holidays when warmer weather might make it tempting to take a dip in a lake, river or canal it can also be dangerous for your health.

How can you help?


Remember:• The water may look calm on the surface, but there may be strong undercurrents that could pull even a strong swimmer under the water.

How can you help?


Remember:• The water may look calm on the surface, but there may be strong undercurrents that could pull even a strong swimmer under the water. • Young people often misjudge their swimming ability - they may view a river or lake as a tempting means of cooling off during a hot spell of weather, but fail to appreciate the harmful effects that the cold water can have on their stamina and strength.

How can you help?


Remember:• The water may look calm on the surface, but there may be strong undercurrents that could pull even a strong swimmer under the water. • Young people often misjudge their swimming ability - they may view a river or lake as a tempting means of cooling off during a hot spell of weather, but fail to appreciate the harmful effects that the cold water can have on their stamina and strength.• If you fall or jump into the water, the cold will shock your body, making your muscles seize up so you can’t move.

How can you help?


Remember:• The water may look calm on the surface, but there may be strong undercurrents that could pull even a strong swimmer under the water. • Young people often misjudge their swimming ability - they may view a river or lake as a tempting means of cooling off during a hot spell of weather, but fail to appreciate the harmful effects that the cold water can have on their stamina and strength.• If you fall or jump into the water, the cold will shock your body, making your muscles seize up so you can’t move.• You could easily cut yourself on rubbish or rocks and you may become ill due to bacteria in the water.

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