As Summer Weather Returns to Oregon, Keep Your Family Safe from Heat and Water Dangers

Highs in the mid-valley will be near 90 Tuesday and above 90 Wednesday.

Oregonians will be seeing plenty of sun over the next few days. Photo: NASA

(SALEM, Ore. ) - Hot weather means lots of outdoor activities and fun under the sun.

High temperatures in the mid-Willamette Valley on Monday ranged from 88 degrees in Salem, to record high temperatures in Corvallis (91), and Amity (90).

Along the Oregon Coast record high temperatures were recorded in Tillamook (82) and Astoria (85), in Newport the high temperature was a bit cooler at 68 degrees.

The National Weather Service says a very strong ridge of high pressure will remain over the Pacific Northwest.

A thermal trough along the Oregon Coast will shift to the north Willamette Valley and north coast. This will produce very mild overnight temperatures with another very warm day on Wednesday.

Highs will be near 90 Tuesday and above 90 Wednesday.

Whether you love putting on shorts and feeling the warm outdoors, or find it hot and sticky, everyone must be careful not to let a heat-related illness spoil the day.

Normally, the body has ways of keeping itself cool, by letting heat escape through the skin, and by evaporating sweat (perspiration).

If the body does not cool properly or does not cool enough, the victim may suffer a heat-related illness.

Anyone can be susceptible although the very young and very old are at greater risk. Heat-related illnesses can become serious or even deadly if unattended.

Heat and Water Safety Tips to Keep Your Family Safe & Sound This Summer:

Increase Your Intake of Non-Alcoholic, Non-Carbonated, Caffeine Free Beverages Such as Water and Juice.

Wear Clothing That is Light in Color and Loose Fitting.

Avoid The Outdoors During Extreme Heat. Stay Out of the Sun.

Stay in an Air-Conditioned Environment if Possible. Shopping Malls Offer Relief if Your Home is not Air-Conditioned.

Check On The Elderly. They are Especially Susceptible to Heat Related Illness.

Eliminate Strenuous Activity Such as Running, Biking and Lawn Care Work When it Heats Up.

Eat Less Foods That Increase Metabolic Activity/Heat. Proteins are an Example.

Increased Metabolic Heat Increases Water Loss.

Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.

Signals of Heat Emergencies:

Heat Exhaustion:

Cool, moist, pale, or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal.

Heat Stroke:

Hot, red skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Body temperature can be very high-- as high as 105 degrees F. If the person was sweating from heavy work or exercise, skin may be wet; otherwise, it will feel dry.

Treatment of Heat Emergencies:

Heat Cramps:

Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. Lightly stretch the affected muscle and replenish fluids. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not give liquids with alcohol or caffeine in them, as they can make conditions worse.

Heat Exhaustion:

Get the person out of the heat and into a cooler place. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. If the person is conscious, give cool water to drink. Make sure the person drinks slowly. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not give liquids that contain alcohol or caffeine. Let the victim rest in a comfortable position, and watch carefully for changes in his or her condition.

Heat Stroke:

Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation. Help is needed fast. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Immerse victim in a cool bath, or wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it. Watch for signals of breathing problems. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body any way you can. If the victim refuses water or is vomiting or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.

Sun Protection Habits Include:

Limit sun exposure during the hours when the sun's rays are the strongest, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

To the extent possible, people should limit their exposure to the sun during these hours and practice all of the sun protective behaviors. Your shadow is an indicator of the sun's intensity. If your shadow is shorter than you are, the sun is at its highest intensity. The American Academy of Dermatology has established the Shadow Rule: No Shadow-SEEK SHADE.

Refer to the daily UV index when planning outdoor events.

The UV Index is a daily forecast of the intensity of the sun's UV rays. The Index indicates the risk of overexposure to skin-damaging UV radiation and can be used to help plan outdoor activities to minimize overexposure.

Seek shade whenever possible. Shade structures such as trees and umbrellas provide year round protection. Although trees do not offer complete sun protection, they provide about 60 percent blockage from the sun's rays.

Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and long-sleeved, tightly woven clothing. Clothing can physically block out the sun's harmful rays and should be one of the first lines of defense against sun exposure.

Sunglasses should block out 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation to protect the eyes from damage. Hats are the best way to minimize UV radiation exposure to the face, head, ears, and neck.

Use broad-spectrum sunscreens whose active ingredients block UVA and UVB rays.

The Sun Protective Factor (SPF) should be a minimum of 15.

Sunscreens should be used every day, including cloudy days. They should be applied liberally and evenly before going out into the sun and should be applied frequently, especially after swimming.

Avoid tanning salons. Artificial UV radiation is just as bad for your skin as sunlight. Most tanning devices use UVA rays which have been shown to go deeper into the skin and contribute to premature wrinkling and skin cancer.

Limit exposure to the reflective surfaces like snow and water. UV rays can be reflected off of sand, tile, water, snow, and buildings. It is important to practice all the sun protective behaviors even when you are in the shade.

Boating Safety:

Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. This includes anyone participating in any boating activity. The American Red Cross has swimming courses for people of any age and swimming ability. To enroll in a swim course, contact your local Red Cross chapter.

Alcohol and boating don't mix. Alcohol impairs your judgment, balance, and coordination -- over 50 percent of drownings result from boating incidents involving alcohol. For the same reasons it is dangerous to operate an automobile while under the influence of alcohol, people should not operate a boat while drinking alcohol.

Look for the label: Use Coast Guard-approved life jackets for yourself and your passengers when boating and fishing.

Develop a float plan. Anytime you go out in a boat, give a responsible person details about where you will be and how long you will be gone. This is important because if the boat is delayed because of an emergency, becomes lost, or encounters other problems, you want help to be able to reach you.

Find a boating course in your area (U.S. Power Squadron, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, US Sailing, etc) -- these courses teach about navigation rules, emergency procedures and the effects of wind, water conditions, and weather.

Watch the weather: Know local weather conditions and prepare for electrical storms. Watch local news programs. Stop boating as soon as you see or hear a storm.

Home Pools:

Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim--this includes adults and children. The American Red Cross has swimming courses for people of any age and swimming ability. To enroll in a course to learn or improve your ability to swim, contact your local Red Cross chapter.

Never leave a child unobserved around water. Your eyes must be on the child at all times. Adult supervision is recommended.

Install a phone by the pool or keep a cordless phone nearby so that you can call 9-1-1 in an emergency.

Learn Red Cross CPR and insist that babysitters, grandparents, and others who care for your child know CPR.

Post CPR instructions and 9-1-1 or your local emergency number in the pool area.

Enclose the pool completely with a self-locking, self-closing fence with vertical bars. Openings in the fence should be no more than four inches wide. The house should not be included as a part of the barrier.

The gate should be constructed so that it is self-latching and self-closing.

Never leave furniture near the fence that would enable a child to climb over the fence.

Always keep basic lifesaving equipment by the pool and know how to use it. Pole, rope, and personal flotation devices (PFDs) are recommended.

Keep toys away from the pool when it is not in use. Toys can attract young children into the pool.

Pool covers should always be completely removed prior to pool use.

If a child is missing, check the pool first. Go to the edge of the pool and scan the entire pool, bottom, and surface, as well as the surrounding pool area

Keeping Children Safe In, On, and Around the Water:

Maintain constant supervision. Watch children around any water environment (pool, stream, lake, tub, toilet, bucket of water), no matter what skills your child has acquired and no matter how shallow the water. For younger children, practice "Reach Supervision" by staying within an arm's length reach.

Don't rely on substitutes. The use of flotation devices and inflatable toys cannot replace parental supervision. Such devices could suddenly shift position, lose air, or slip out from underneath, leaving the child in a dangerous situation.

Enroll children in a water safety course or Learn-to-Swim classes. Your decision to provide your child with an early aquatic experience is a gift that will have infinite rewards. These courses encourage safe practices. You can also purchase a Water Safety Handbook at the Red Cross Store.

Parents should take a CPR course. Knowing these skills can be important around the water and you will expand your capabilities in providing care for your child. You can contact your local Red Cross to enroll in a CPR course.

Lakes and Rivers:

Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim--this includes adults and children. The American Red Cross has swimming courses for people of any age and swimming ability. To enroll in swim course, contact your local Red Cross chapter.

Select a supervised area. A trained lifeguard who can help in an emergency is the best safety factor. Even good swimmers can have an unexpected medical emergency in the water. Never swim alone.

Select an area that is clean and well maintained. A clean bathhouse, clean restrooms, and a litter-free environment show the management’s concern for your health and safety.

Select an area that has good water quality and safe natural conditions. Murky water, hidden underwater objects, unexpected drop-offs, and aquatic plant life are hazards. Water pollution can cause health problems for swimmers. Strong tides, big waves, and currents can turn an event that began as fun into a tragedy.

Make sure the water is deep enough before entering headfirst. Too many swimmers are seriously injured every year by entering headfirst into water that is too shallow. A feet first entry is much safer than diving.

Be sure rafts and docks are in good condition. A well-run open-water facility maintains its rafts and docks in good condition, with no loose boards or exposed nails. Never swim under a raft or dock. Always look before jumping off a dock or raft to be sure no one is in the way.

Avoid drainage ditches and arroyos. Drainage ditches and arroyos for water run-off are not good places for swimming or playing in the water. After heavy rains, they can quickly change into raging rivers that can easily take a human life. Even the strongest swimmers are no match for the power of the water. Fast water and debris in the current make ditches and arroyos very dangerous.

Ocean Safety:

Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim -- this includes adults and children. The American Red Cross has swimming courses for people of any age and swimming ability. Contact your local Red Cross chapter for information on courses.

Stay within the designated swimming area, ideally within the visibility of a lifeguard.

Never swim alone.

Check the surf conditions before you enter the water. Check to see if a warning flag is up or check with a lifeguard for water conditions, beach conditions, or any potential hazards.

Stay away from piers, pilings, and diving platforms when in the water.

Keep a lookout for aquatic life. Water plants and animals may be dangerous. Avoid patches of plants. Leave animals alone.

Make sure you always have enough energy to swim back to shore.

Don’t try to swim against a current if caught in one. Swim gradually out of the current, by swimming across it.

Water Skiing:

Wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.

Be sure the boat and ski equipment are in good shape.

Always turn the boat motor completely off when you approach a fallen skier.

Watch the water ahead of you at all times.

Have an extra person aboard to watch and assist the skier.

Run parallel to shore and come in slowly when landing. Sit down if coming in too fast.

Use proper hand signals to signal boat operator.

Do not ski at night or in restricted areas.

Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. This includes anyone participating in any water sport. The American Red Cross has swimming courses for people of any age and swimming ability. To enroll in a swim course, contact your local Red Cross chapter.

Know local weather conditions. Make sure the water and weather conditions are safe. Because water conducts electricity, it is wise to stop swimming, boating or any activities on the water as soon as you see or hear a storm. Also, heavy rains can make certain areas dangerous.