by Rick Nelson
ISB Safety Consultant
rickn@isb.ac.th
ISB is implementing new guidelines to assist with preventing heat illness for children and adults. As the guidelines are put in place, we are asking faculty, staff, parents and students to work together to prevent the signs and symptoms of heat illness. To assist with this process, ISB will be monitoring closely the temperature and humidity closely through the Humidex Index. This data will be collected from our onsite ISB weather station. As the index readings climb to higher levels, a series of prevention methods will be applied to minimize the risk associated with heat illness. When the Humidex rises to over 40 degrees Celsius, steps may include moving locations of activities or cancelling activities if the index is at dangerous levels. This could include athletic and afterschool activities, PE classes and recess periods.
Avoiding heat illness starts with good prevention. Heat illness is when a person’s natural cooling system begins to fail, allowing internal heat to build up to dangerous levels. Heat illness progresses from symptoms associated with heat cramps, to heat exhaustion, and in it’s most severe form, heat stroke. Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency and requires immediate medical assistance. To avoid any of these forms of heat illness, encourage your children and each other, to follow smart preventive strategies in the heat and humidity. Here are just a few strategies:
- Avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of water (cool, not cold) before physical activities or being outdoors. Avoid caffeine and high sugar, carbonated drinks.
- During activities, drink cool water and increase the number and length of rest breaks.
- Make sure your diet contains an adequate amount of salt.
- Take breaks in the shade or out of the heat environment.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitted clothing. Shade the head and back of the neck to decrease heat gain from the sun. Wear a hat with a brim or carry an umbrella.
- Protect from sun exposure, use a sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher). Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going out, and reapply frequently.
- Wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection.
- Take extra precautions playing on concrete or asphalt.
- Acclimatize to the heat. It takes approximately 10 days to two weeks for your body to acclimate to high levels of heat and humidity. When returning from cooler climates, readjust to the tropical environment by gradually increasing your time and exercise in the outdoors.
- Keep an eye out for each other. Know the signs and symptoms of heat illness and assist others when you see any of the signs. To learn more, go the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website on Emergency Preparedness and Response for Extreme Heat – go to
https://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/faq.asp
- Keep a very close eye on young children (under 4 years of age) and adults over 65 years of age, as these groups are most at risk and vulnerable to heat illness and extreme heat conditions.