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| Stay safe in hot weather |
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With triple-digit temperatures hitting much of Oregon this summer, residents are reminded to take precautions to avoid getting sick from extreme heat. Very high temperatures can create serious health problems if people aren't careful.
The elderly, the very young and people with chronic diseases are most at risk of heat-related illness, but even healthy young people need to stay cool and cut down on strenuous activity when temperatures spike, according to Mel Kohn, M.D., state epidemiologist in the Oregon Department of Human Services.
Prevention is the best defense, according to Kohn: "I encourage people to drink lots of water or juice, even when they're not thirsty. Often by the time someone is thirsty, they're already starting to get dehydrated. Wear loose fitting, light-colored clothing and stay out of the sun during the hottest time of day."
Because older people are among those particularly at risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion or heat stroke, people should check regularly on elderly neighbors to make sure they stay cool and drink plenty of water.
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