Consider the following list:
- 21 year old male professional landscaper;
- 16 year old male working outdoors;
- 39 year old female boating for the day;
- 41 year old male working outdoors;
- A 21 year old male playing basketball.
What do these people have in common?
Answer: They all ended up in a hospital emergency room being treated
for heat related illnesses on May 29 and May 30, 2000.
These sick citizens confirm the recurring pattern in heat related illnesses
seen in St. Charles County over the last 5 years; the victims are almost
all under 50 and healthy.
Fortunately, none of these unfortunate residents needed hospitalization and
were able to go home after treatment. Health related illness is nonetheless
potentially serious and can lead to death, especially in the very young, the
elderly, and people suffering from pre-existing illness.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Area has a long history of working to prevent illness and
injury related to the summer heat. This interest is best illustrated by the a
very successful area coalition of agencies and businesses which has served the
public for a number of years. The coalition is named Operation Weather Survival. (OWS).
OWS is a network of public and private organizations that work together to prevent
illness and death caused by extreme hot or cold weather and ground level ozone (smog).
St. Charles County is well represented on the coalition.
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When you hear the media
announcing hot weather advisories and warnings you can be sure they originated
with an OWS press release. By having 25 metro area agencies, including all
county and city health departments, speaking with one voice we avoid duplication
of effort and conflicting messages.
Operation Weather survival can be contacted at:
1-800-427-4626
There are a number of things that you can do to guard against becoming a victim of
the heat. To view a printable list of these tips click here:
Tips for Staying Cool and Safe During the Upcoming Summer Months
MS Word Format | Adobe Acrobat Format
We would like to offer one other bit of summertime advice for your consideration.
Do you use sunscreen when you are outside and exposed to the sun? You should!
You should also reapply it often according to the label instructions.
If you have children be sure that they are also adequately protected.
Kids have no sense of time when they are playing and having fun. They won't know
they are seriously burned until it is too late.
Sunscreen will not only protect against immediate burn and injury to the skin but
regular use will reduce the risk of skin cancer later in life. Consistent protection
will also help to avoid premature aging of the skin.
Have an enjoyable and a safe, healthy summer!
For further information call the Divison of Public health at 636-949-7400
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