Residents urged to take precautions

It’s no secret that summers in south Louisiana are unforgiving. 

In fact, it isn’t uncommon for a person to fall victim to a heat related illness while taking part in an outdoor activity that isn’t strenuous or unsafe in regular conditions. 

Crowely Recreation Director Chris Stevens keeps a close eye on his baseball players during summer time practices. 

“We have all of our practices in the evening with the exception of our 14-year-old Pony league team,” he said. “We need them to get acclimated to the heat because the majority of their games are played during the day. 

“We make sure they drink plenty of clear liquids to keep them hydrated. We also want them to stay in the shade in between games.” 

The heat is reported to have played a role in the death of an elderly Crowley man who collapsed while mowing his lawn last week.

And forecasters predict this week will be hotter with the heat index hovering around 100 degrees. The rains that Acadiana experienced most of last week are long gone thanks in part to a high pressure system that is suppressing storm activity. However, the hazards facing Louisiana residents during the summer are often times more associated with the sun as opposed to the rain.

Brandi Freed, the head pharmacist at The Medicine Shoppe in Crowley, sent The Post-Signal some information on heat related illnesses. 

The symptoms of heat exhaustion include confusion, dark color urine, dizziness, fainting, fatigue, headaches, muscle cramps, nausea, pale skin, profuse sweating and rapid heartbeat. 

If a person is showing symptoms of heat exhaustion, it is essential to get them out of the heat and rested. If a person is unable to get inside, try to find the nearest cool and shady place. 

Other strategies include:

• Drinking plenty of fluid. Avoid caffeine and alcohol. 

• Remove any tight or unnecessary clothing. 

• Take a cool bath or shower. 

• Apply cooling measures such as fans or ice towels. 

Risk factors associated with heat-related illnesses include: 

• Age. Infants and children up to age 4 and adults over 65 are particularly vulnerable because they adjust to heat more slowly than other people. 

• Certain health conditions. These include heart, lung or kidney disease, obesity or underweight, high blood pressure, diabetes, mental illness, sickle cell trait, alcoholism, sunburn and any condition that causes fever.

• Medications. These include diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers, stimulants and some heart and blood pressure medications and medications for psychiatric conditions. 

“This type of heat is dangerous because it can just sneak up on you,” said Stevens. 

A spokesman with the Crowley Fire Department said the best option to prevent heat related illnesses is also the most obvious, “just stay indoors.”