While Summer in Georgia means spending time outside with family and friends, people should be aware of the dangers soaring temperatures can bring. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, extreme heat is the number one weather-related killer in the United States, claiming more than 650 lives across the nation each year. The Macon-Bibb County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) urges everyone to take steps now to beat the heat.
“People most at risk for heat-related illness are seniors, infants and people with circulation problems, but staying indoors and drinking plenty of water will help you stay cool and hydrated when temperatures rise,” says Don Druitt, Macon-Bibb EMA Director.
Macon-Bibb County is taking measures to help its employees work more safely in the heat of the summer. People are being encouraged to drink more water throughout the day and alter schedules to provide plenty of rest. The Solid Waste Department is altering its trash pick up schedule beginning June 30 to 6:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. The landfill hours will remain the same: Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Ready Georgia provides these 10 tips to ensure a safe summer for every family:
- Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles.
- Fluids are lost through perspiration, so it’s important to stay well hydrated. Drink plenty of water, even when you’re not thirsty.
- Stay indoors in air-conditioned spaces as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun.
- Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible.
- Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. Drink two to four cups of water every hour when you are working outside.
- Check on elderly neighbors and family and friends who do not have air conditioning.
- Make sure pets have plenty of water and shade, be careful to not over-exercise them, and keep them indoors when it’s extremely hot.
- Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat exhaustion symptoms are heavy sweating, fatigue, muscle cramps, confusion, cold, pale and clammy skin, a weak rapid pulse, and possible fainting and vomiting. Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency that occurs when the body temperature reaches 106° F. or higher. Symptoms include hot dry skin, rapid and strong pulse, and possible unconsciousness. Summon immediate emergency medical assistance.
- Insulate your home by installing weather stripping around your doors and windowsills to keep the cool air inside.
- Closely monitor a local radio station, TV station or NOAA Weather Radio or download theReady Georgia app for the latest information on excessive heat watches and warnings.
To help Georgians prepare, Ready Georgia, a statewide emergency preparedness campaign created by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security, offers the tools needed to make an emergency supply kit, develop a communications plan and stay informed about potential threats. Visitors to Ready Georgia’s website can create an online profile to receive a tailored plan for the entire family that includes the specific amount of supplies to put in their household Ready kits. In addition, the newly upgraded free Ready Georgia mobile app provides weather alerts, traffic updates and preparedness information for people on the go.
For more information, visit www.ready.ga.gov.
###
About Ready Georgia
Ready Georgia is a statewide campaign designed to educate and empower Georgians to prepare for and respond to natural disasters, pandemic outbreaks, potential terrorist attacks and other large-scale emergencies. The campaign is a project of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and provides a local dimension to Ready America, a broader national campaign. Ready Georgia aims to prepare citizens for maintaining self-sufficiency for at least 72 hours following an emergency, and uses an interactive website, free mobile app, online community toolkit, broadcast and print advertising and public awareness media messaging to reach its audiences. Ready Georgia is also on Facebook and YouTube.