Heat warning issued in Delaware

Hot, humid and hazardous
Experts urge people to stay indoors; ozone warning issued
http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060802/NEWS/608020347

By DWAYNE STEWARD
The News Journal
08/02/2006

"I soak myself with water until I dry off," said Tara Williams, 31, a DELDOT worker. A deadly heat wave that has spread across the country settled in Delaware on Tuesday, prompting officials to ask citizens to remain inside if possible and to stay well hydrated.

Delawareans tried to stay inside Tuesday as a three-day mega-hot spell hunkered down on the state.

At least four people were treated for heatstroke, summer camps changed their plans and Delaware Park canceled its racing card. And it may all happen again today.

If that weren't bad enough, "We've also had an increase in respiratory-related illnesses," said Kim Wilkins, spokeswoman for Kent General in Dover.

Temperatures reached the triple digits with health professionals and weather experts telling residents to stay out of the sun.

"Make sure you're choosing your activities wisely," said Robert Rosenbaum, Emergency Medicine Physician at Christiana Hospital.

And keep drinking water, he said. Before you go out, while you're out and when you head back indoors.

State and regional governments warned that high levels of ozone today will trigger a "Code Red" -- an effort to reduce traffic to lessen smog and keep people with health problems inside.

Residents are urged to use public transit, avoid needless auto travel and minimize activities such as refueling or lawn-mowing that can make the smog worse.

Delaware already has recorded two incidents this summer -- May 30 and July 18 -- when ozone levels violated the federal Clean Air Act.

Ozone forms when gasoline vapors, industrial pollutants, motor-vehicle exhausts and other emissions cook in hot, stagnant air. The result can burn sensitive lung tissues, posing a special risk to the elderly, the very young and those with respiratory problems.

Although hot conditions produce ozone, the highest levels often occur later in the day.

Heat is the leading weather-related killer, claiming an average of 1,500 lives a year, mostly from respiratory failure, heart attacks and strokes, said Laurence S. Kalkstein, a professor at the University of Delaware's Center for Climatic Research.

Children and the elderly are most susceptible to heat exhaustion and should be watched carefully, Rosenbaum said.

Brittany Downs, 7, of Wilmington dangles
on a swing and gets her hair wet Tuesday in
the Brandywine at Woodlawn Wildlife Preserve.

"Signs of dehydration can vary by age," Rosenbaum said. "Children may appear more tired and sluggish then usual, while the elderly my show signs of confusion or inability to walk."

If someone is showing signs of heatstroke -- their temperature is rising but they are not sweating -- they should be taken to the hospital, Rosenbaum said.

Area nursing homes and children summer camps are taking extra precautions during the heat emergency.

"We have increased the amount of water play activities and changed some of the field trips," said David Halley, camp director at the Bear/Glasgow YMCA.

Instead of outdoor activities the children are going to the movies, bowling and roller skating, Halley said.

"There are some kids who suffer from asthma that may flare up but we have their medications on site," he added.

Groups look after the elderly

Many nursing homes have put maintenance staffers on call in case air conditioners break down.

Some activities have been rescheduled at Kentmere Nursing Care Center in Wilmington.

"If it's over 90 degrees we usually don't have our outdoor activities, so when it's 100 we're definitely not heading outside," said Eileen Mahler, executive director.

Meals-on-Wheels volunteers are monitoring the elderly who live alone.

"In these situations the agency makes an effort to brief their volunteers on what to look for because many meal delivery volunteers are their only point of contact," said spokeswoman Barbara Carins. She said the volunteers are asked to make certain the homes of shut-ins are cool enough and they have enough water.