A Seattle man in his 60s, who had heart disease, became the first person in King County to die from this week's heatwave, the county medical examiner's office said.
In a press release on Thursday, the medical examiner said the heat was a contributing factor in the man's death.
At a press conference Thursday afternoon, Dr. Charissa Fotinos, Medical Director at Public Health - Seattle & King County, identified the man as Allen J. Paul.
Dr. Fotinos said the death was "a tragic illustration that heat can kill." And she said, "even though heat may be going down, its' still important to prevent heat-related illness."
Brick buildings retain heat, she noticed. And people who do not hydronate do not cool down as fast and their bodies remain under stress.
She said, "we're not out of the woods."
Dr. David Fleming, Director and Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County, said in the release, “We know that heat puts additional stress on people with underlying chronic conditions, just like the flu and other infectious diseases,” . “Tragically, excessive heat exposure can be fatal, and it’s possible that we may see additional deaths before the heat wave ends.”
“People with underlying conditions like heart disease need to take it easy, and all of us need to check on frail family, friends and neighbors, especially if they live alone, to make sure they are safe and cool,” Fleming said..
Public Health and local partners have been working to help reduce the health impacts on the community and keep people safe and cool, particularly those who are vulnerable to high temperatures (older adults, young children, people with chronic illness, and people with weight or alcohol problems):
· Cooling shelters continue to be open in the City of Seattle and cities across King County . Find links .
· Public Health is coordinating with partners to call every nursing home, boarding home and adult family home in the county to check on their status and offer assistance as needed. King County Medic One is checking with nursing home facilities in its service area.
· Over 200 community-based organizations have received information and fact sheets to provide to their clients.
· Public Health continues to monitor heat-related illnesses through the health care and emergency medical system, and stands by to coordinate response to problems.
Tips to stay healthy in the hot weather
Stay cool
· Spend more time in air conditioned places. If you don’t have air conditioning, consider visiting a library, mall, movie theater or other cool public places.
· Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun.
· Dress in lightweight clothing.
· Check up on your elderly neighbors and relatives.
Drink liquids
· Drink plenty of water or non-alcoholic beverages.
· Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.
If you go outside
· Limit your direct exposure to the sun.
· Do not leave infants, children, people with mobility challenges and pets in a parked car, even with the window rolled down.
· Avoid or reduce strenuous activity.
· Limit outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.
· Avoid sunburn. Use a sunscreen lotion with a high SPF (sun protection factor) rating.
Check with your physician if you are concerned about heat and the specific medications you are taking. Certain medications may increase sensitivity to the heat. Do not take salt tablets unless directed to by a physician.
Recognizing heat exhaustion and heat stroke
Overheating occurs when people’s bodies are not able to cool themselves quickly enough and can lead to symptoms of heat exhaustion, including muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea and vomiting. If you notice someone with signs of overheating, move the person to a cooler location, have them rest for a few minutes and slowly drink a cool beverage. Seek medical attention for them immediately if they do not feel better.
In severe instances, people can suffer heat stroke, which can cause can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided. Symptoms of heat stroke include:
· an extremely high body temperature (above 103°F)
· red and hot skin
· rapid, strong pulse
· nausea, confusion and unconsciousness
More tips and resources on staying cool in hot weather.
