Posted: 7/13/06
Governor Pawlenty announces Operation Stay Cool
NEWS RELEASE
With weekend temperatures forecast to reach 100 degrees, Governor Tim Pawlenty Thursday announced that state agencies and the Governor's Office are working together under Operation Stay Cool to help ensure that Minnesotans stay safe during the heat wave.
"People around the rest of the nation may think of Minnesota as a cool place, but we're about to see how hot things can get up here," Governor Pawlenty said. "During this heat wave, it's important for Minnesotans to take care of themselves and one another. State government will do our part by providing services to those in need."
The Governor said that staff from his office and several state agencies - including the Departments of Health, Natural Resources, Human Services, Agriculture, Commerce, and Public Safety - are coordinating efforts to help Minnesotans during the extremely warm weather.
The Department of Health cautioned that people need to avoid getting overheated and to make sure that family, friends and neighbors do the same as an anticipated heat wave heads toward Minnesota.
"Extreme temperatures can cause serious, potentially fatal health problems," Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dianne Mandernach said. "However, people can help prevent heat-related illness by keeping cool and drinking plenty of liquids."
According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention statistics, extreme heat causes more weather-related deaths in the U.S. than all other forms of severe weather combined.
"In a heat wave, the majority of victims are older individuals and people with pre-existing and chronic medical conditions," Mandernach said. "We strongly urge people to visit vulnerable family and friends ÷ often ÷ to make sure they take proper steps to prevent heat exhaustion, heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses."
Others at greater risk from extreme temperatures include pregnant women, children, people who are taking certain regular medications, individuals who work in a high-heat environment, people engaged in strenuous physical activity and people who are mentally ill, Mandernach said.
However, even young, healthy individuals are susceptible, she said.
Two major types of heat-related illness exist. Heat exhaustion is non-life-threatening; heat stroke is potentially fatal.
Early warning signs of heat exhaustion include decreased energy, slight loss of appetite, faintness, light-headedness and nausea, Mandernach said. People with these symptoms should seek a cool place, drink fluids, remove excess clothing and rest. Heat stress needs attention, but it is not a medical emergency.
Serious signs that indicate a medical emergency and require immediate medical attention include unconsciousness, rapid heartbeat, throbbing headache, dry skin, chest pain, mental confusion, irritability, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle cramps, staggering and difficulty breathing, she said. In an emergency, dial 911, move the heat-stressed person to a cool area and remove his or her excess clothing, spray the individual with water and fan him or her until help arrives.
"If the weather service issues a heat warning, people need to make an even greater effort to keep cool, drink more liquids and limit activity," Mandernach said.
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