August 6, 2007 |
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Governor Blagojevich’s Keep Cool Illinois campaign offers tips to protect against heat-related health problems during this week’s hot weatherDepartment of Public Health encourages preventive actionSPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As part of Governor Rod R. Blagojevich’s Keep Cool Illinois campaign, Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, state public health director, is urging Illinoisans this week to take preventive actions during this extremely hot weather. The Governor has also made 130 state facilities available as cooling centers. The mission of the Keep Cool Illinois campaign is to inform Illinois residents, especially the elderly, families with small children and persons with disabilities, on how to prevent heat-related health problems and participate in summer activities safely. “Periods of high temperatures and humidity, can lead to serious health problems,” Dr. Whitaker said. “Prevention is the best defense against heat-related illness. Staying cool, increasing your fluid intake, decreasing your activities and wearing appropriate clothing can help your body cope with high temperatures.” Normally, the body cools itself by sweating. However, if temperatures and humidity are extremely high, like they are predicted to be this week, sweating is not effective in maintaining the body’s normal temperature. If the body does not cool properly or does not cool enough, a person may suffer a heat-related illness. Heat-related illnesses can become serious or even deadly if unattended. Dr. Whitaker offered the following prevention tips to beat the heat and related illness:
As part of his Keep Cool Illinois campaign, Gov. Blagojevich has made 130 state facilities available as cooling centers. The cooling centers will provide Illinoisans a place to stay cool and comfortable during this week’s hot weather. The cooling centers are located at Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) offices throughout the state and will be open to the public during regular business hours so anyone seeking refuge from the heat has a cool place to go. More information on the state’s cooling centers is available by calling the IDHS toll-free hotline (800-843-6154) or you can search by zip code for the cooling center nearest you at www.keepcool.illinois.gov. “Already this summer numerous people have taken advantage of the cooling centers in IDHS office buildings,” said IDHS Secretary Carol L. Adams, Ph.D. “Many low-income Illinoisans have no air conditioning in their homes or no other cool place to go to escape the heat. The cooling centers offer a clean, safe place to take refuge during the hottest part of the day.” If you must go outside:
Anyone can suffer from heat-related illness, but some people are at greater risk. Check regularly on:
Visit adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion of heat stroke. Infants and young children need much more frequent watching. For more information on summer activity safety and summer health risks, visit the website at http://www.idph.state.il.us/public/books/summtoc.htm to find the “Summer? No Sweat” Survival. The Keep Cool Illinois Web site: www.keepcool.illinois.gov offers various no-cost and low-cost energy saving tips, links to cooling centers and energy assistance programs, firework safety tips, West Nile virus prevention guides and other available state resources. The Keep Cool Illinois hotline (877-411-9276), as well a Spanish version of the Web site, provide additional resources for Illinois residents to learn how to cut utility bills, receive energy assistance and stay cool and healthy this summer. |
Illinois Department
of Public Health 535 West Jefferson Street Springfield, Illinois 62761 Phone 217-782-4977 Fax 217-782-3987 TTY 800-547-0466 Questions or Comments |