As summer comes to an end, it’s important to stay alert for the risk of heat stroke from rising temperatures. August is the hottest month in BC, and social services workers and the populations they serve are both at risk of heat stroke. Populations such as those living alone, seniors, people who are marginally housed, and those with health conditions are at increased risk during hot weather. It is important that both workers and employers can recognize heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and the common symptoms of these conditions.

Heat exhaustion is a heat-related illness that occurs when your body is unable to handle the stress of heat and your internal temperature rises above its normal range (37 degrees). As you heat up, you tend to experience a variety of symptoms that can be attributed to general fatigue such as weakness, dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps, and possible confusion. This can make it difficult to determine whether what you are experiencing is heat exhaustion, which if left untreated can rapidly develop into heat stroke.

Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition where your body heats up faster than it can cool down. It can develop quickly and without warning, causing your internal temperature to rise well above 40 degrees. It is important to immediately take measures to save people suffering from heat strokes as prolonged heat strokes can cause severe damage to various body systems. Many of the symptoms are similar to heat exhaustion with some key differences being that the one experiencing it is not acting how they normally act and they cannot cool down.

If you ever find yourself or others showing these signs, call 911 right away and follow the following first aid steps immediately:

• Move to a cool, shaded area
• Apply cold wet cloths, ice, or cool water to head, face, neck, and groin if possible
• Remove as many clothes as possible (including socks)
• Encourage them to drink water, juice, or a sports drink but do not force it
• Stay with them and keep checking symptoms, if they are not cooling down, let emergency services know immediately

We must also do what we can to prevent the onset of heat illnesses. The following steps can help in prevention:

• Provide workers and clients with water bottles or access to hydration stations and encourage regular water intake to stay hydrated
• Issue heat warnings to workers and clients on days with forecasted hot temperatures
• Educate workers on the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and stroke and how to respond
• Prevent workers from working alone by partnering them up
• Encourage workers and clients to wear cooler, loose-fitting clothing such as cotton and linen
• Provide cool, ventilated areas for workers and clients to rest in
• Avoid scheduling strenuous activities during peak heat hours
• Place electric fans for ventilation in buildings with no A/C

Heat stroke is dangerous when left untreated and unnoticed so we must stay prepared and proactive to protect both workers and clients in higher temperature conditions.

Download and post Heat Exhaustion signage to inform others on signs and symptoms to watch out for.