Kohima, April 16 (MExN): The Department of Health and Family Welfare (DoHFW) Nagaland has issued a public health advisory regarding the on-going heat wave affecting several areas of the state.
While actual temperatures may not be extremely high, the DoHFW cautioned that deviations from normal temperatures could have adverse effects, particularly on vulnerable populations.
To help protect the general public, the DoHFW provided several do's and don'ts guidelines protect from the adverse effects of the heatwave.
Do's
• Drink plenty of water, even if not feeling thirsty, and carry water while traveling
• Homemade drinks such as lemon water, buttermilk, and fruit juices with added salt are also recommended.
• Eating fruits and vegetables with high water content, like watermelon and cucumber, is encouraged.
• Stay covered by wearing loose, light-colored cotton clothing
• Use umbrellas or hats, and wear shoes when going out in the sun.
• Stay alert to local weather news through radios, TVs, newspapers, and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) website for weather updates at https://mausam.imd.gov.in/
• To minimize heat exposure, individuals are advised to stay indoors or in shaded areas as much as possible.
• Keeping windows and curtains closed during the day and open them at night to let cooler air in
• If outdoor activities are necessary, schedule them during cooler times of the day, such as mornings and evenings.
• Vulnerable populations, including infants, young children, pregnant women, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions, elderly or sick people should be supervised and monitored daily
• Immersing feet in cool water, using fans and spray bottles, and applying damp cloths or ice towels are effective ways to cool down the body.
• Employers are also advised provide cool drinking water, shaded work areas, scheduling strenuous jobs during cooler times of the day, and increasing the frequency and length of rest breaks. They are also urged to ensure that workers are properly acclimatised and trained to recognise heat-related illness symptoms.
• Pregnant workers and those with medical conditions should consult with their doctors about working in hot conditions.
• During mass gatherings or sports events, attendees must aware of the increased risk of heat-related illnesses due to physical exertion, direct sun exposure, overcrowding, and limited access to water, food, and shade. They are advised to stay hydrated, and seek medical care for any signs or symptoms of heat-related illness.
Dont's
• Avoid getting out in the sun, especially between 12 noon and 3pm
• Avoid strenuous activities when outside in the afternoon
• Do not go out barefoot
• Avoid cooking during peak summer hours. Open doors and windows to ventilate cooking area adequately
• Avoid alcohol, tea, coffee and carbonated soft drinks or drinks with large amount of sugar- as these actually, lead to loss of more body fluid or may cause stomach cramps
• Avoid high-protein food and do not eat stale food
• Do not leave children or pets in parked vehicle. Temperature inside a vehicle could get dangerous.
Public Health Advisory: Extreme Heat/Heatwave
Do’ Public Health Advisory: Extreme Heat/Heatwaves |
Do’s |
For general population Stay hydrated: • Drink sufficient water whenever possible, even if you are not thirsty. Thirst is not a good indicator of dehydration. • Carry drinking water when travelling • Use Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS), and consume homemade drinks like lemon water, butter milk/lassi, fruit juices with some added salt. • Eat seasonal fruits and vegetables with high water content like water melon, musk melon, orange, grapes, pineapple, cucumber, lettuce or other locally available fruits and vegetables. Stay covered: • Wear thin loose, cotton garments preferably light coloured • Cover your head: use umbrella, hat, cap, towel and other traditional head gears during exposure to direct sunlight • Wear shoes or chappals while going out in sun Stay alert: • Listen to Radio; watch TV; read Newspaper for local weather news. Get the latest update of weather on India Meteorological Department (IMD) website at https://mausam.imd.gov.in/ Stay indoors/in shade as much as possible: • In well ventilated and cool places • Block direct sunlight and heat waves: Keep windows and curtains closed during the day, especially on the sunny side of your house. Open them up at night to let cooler air in. • If going outdoor, limit your outdoor activity to cooler times of the day i.e., morning and evening • Reschedule or plan outdoor activities during cooler parts of the day. |
For vulnerable population Although anyone at any time can suffer from the heat stress & heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others and should be given additional attention. These include: • Infants and young children • People working outdoors • Pregnant women • People who have a mental illness • Physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure • Travelers from colder climate to a hot climate should allow one week’s time for their bodies to acclimatized to heat, avoid overexertion, and should drink plenty of water. Acclimatization is achieved by gradual increase (over 10-15days) in exposure/physical activity in hot environment
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Other precautions • Elderly or sick people living alone should be supervised and their health monitored on a daily basis. • Keep your home cool, use curtains, shutters or sunshade and open windows at night. • Try to remain on lower floors during the day. • Use fan, spray bottles, damp cloths, ice towels to cool down body. • Immersing feet in 20°C water above ankle provides rapid cooling by reducing dehydration and thermal discomfort. |
Don’ts |
• Avoid getting out in the sun, especially between 12:00 noon and 03:00 pm • Avoid strenuous activities when outside in the afternoon • Do not go out barefoot • Avoid cooking during peak summer hours. Open doors and windows to ventilate cooking area adequately • Avoid alcohol, tea, coffee and carbonated soft drinks or drinks with large amount of sugar- as these actually, lead to loss of more body fluid or may cause stomach cramps • Avoid high-protein food and do not eat stale food • Do not leave children or pets in parked vehicle. Temperature inside a vehicle could get dangerous.
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Advisory For Employers and workers Provide cool drinking water at work place and remind them to drink a cup of water every 20minutes or more frequently to stay hydrated • Caution workers to avoid direct sunlight • Provide shaded work area for workers. Temporary shelter can be created at work site. • Schedule strenuous and outdoor jobs to cooler times of the day i.e., morning and evening hours • Increase the frequency and length of rest breaks for outdoor activities- at least every 5 minutes after 1 hour of labour work • Listen to Radio; watch TV; read Newspaper for local weather news and act accordingly. Get the latest update of weather on India Meteorological Department (IMD) website at https://mausam.imd.gov.in/ • Assign additional workers or slow down the pace of work • Make sure everyone is properly acclimatized: it takes weeks to acclimatize to a hotter climate. Do not work for more than three hours in one day for the first five days of work. Gradually increase the amount and time of work. • Train workers to recognize factors which may increase the risk of developing a heat related illness and the signs and symptoms of heat stress and start a “buddy system” since people are not likely to notice their own symptoms • Trained First Aid providers should be available and an emergency response plan should be in place in the event of a heat-related illness. • Pregnant workers and workers with a medical condition or those taking certain medications should discuss with their physicians about working in the heat. • If working outdoors wear light-coloured clothing preferably long sleeve shirt and pants, and cover the head to prevent exposure to direct sunlight. • Organize awareness campaigns for employees • Install temperature and forecast display at the workplace. • Distribute informational pamphlets and organize training for employers and workers regarding health impacts of extreme heat and recommendations to protect themselves during high temperatures
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Precautions during Mass gathering/Sport event • Oudoor/indoor crowded situations increase risk of acute heat-related illnesses (HRI) even in absence of active heatwave alerts in the area. • Physical exertion, direct sun exposure, overcrowding, and difficult access to water, food and shade may worsen health in vulnerable groups. • Attendees should stay hydrated, cool, be aware of HRI signs, symptoms and seek medical care. |
Issued in Public Interest by: Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Nagaland |
