Missouri Summer Weather Safety Campaign

Heat, Lightening and Weather Radios

The National Weather Service (NWS) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) use the summer campaign to educated families while on vacations, or enjoying outdoor sporting activities. Unfortunately, last summer 25 Missourians died from heat related illnesses and two Missourians died from lightening strikes. The heat information focuses on the warning signs of heat illness. In the summer, it is extremely important to drink lots of water, and seek appropriate first aid at the first sign of trouble. Lightening strikes are more prevalent during summer storms. Because so many people enjoy camping, and outdoor recreational activities, citizens should seek indoor shelter during lightening storms.

"Every family should own a Weather Radio for advanced severe weather information. Some of the smaller radios can easily become a part of a family's camping or vacation gear," says Tom Martin, Stone County Emergency Management Director. Why are advanced severe weather warnings important? Consider this spring, Missouri experienced a month long series of severe weather / tornadoes in which 15 people died, 147 were injured, 646 homes were destroyed, 3675 homes were damaged, and 47 counties received a Presidential Disaster Declaration.

The summer Weather Safety (formerly the Heat and Lightning) Awareness information will be posted on the SEMA and the St. Louis NWS homepages. The link to the SEMA homepage is: http://sema.dps.mo.gov/semapage.htm. The link to the National Weather Service Heat campaign is: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lsx/prepare.php

Tips in Preventing Heat-Related Illness

• Seek Air Conditioning! The most efficient way to beat the heat is to spend time in an air-conditioned area such as your home, a mall, or public library.

• Electric fans may be useful to increase comfort or to draw cool air into your home at night. Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device during a heat wave. At temperatures above about 100° F, a fan may actually increase heat stress. For example, at 100° F a fan may be delivering overheated air to the skin faster than the body can get rid of this heat with sweating. The net effect is to add heat rather than to cool the body.

• Be aware of the warning signs of heat-related illness, such as light-headedness, mild nausea or confusion, sleepiness or profuse sweating.

• While outdoors, rest frequently in a shady area.

• Scheduling outdoor activities before noon or in the evening,

• Wear sunscreen to protect skin from the sun's harmful rays. Sunburn affects your body's ability to cool itself and causes a loss of body fluids.

• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.

• Stay indoors and in an air-conditioned environment.

• Increase your fluid intake—regardless of your activity level. Don't wait until you feel thirsty to drink fluids. Ensure infants and children drink adequate amounts of liquids.

• Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Avoid very cold beverages because they can cause stomach cramps.

• Do not leave infants, children or pets unattended in a parked car.