New Mexico warms up: here’s what you need to know about heat-related illness before it gets too hot to handle
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) reminds people to be aware of heat related illness as temperatures warm up. The eastern and southern parts of the state are already getting hot before other parts of the state. Regardless of location, as temperatures increase, so does the risk of heat related illness.
Even as early as April, New Mexicans visit the emergency room with symptoms of heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke. These symptoms can occur as temperatures approach 80°F. While anyone can get sick from the heat, certain people are more at risk that others including:
- People who work outside.
- Athletes and others who spend time outside.
- Young children and infants, especially when they are left unattended in cars.
- Older adults as we cannot regulate our internal temperatures as well as we age.
- People with chronic medical conditions may have a serious health problem during a heat wave.
- Pregnant people are at higher risk for heat related illness because their bodies must work harder to cool down both the person’s body and the developing baby.
To lower the risk of getting sick from the heat, DOH recommends New Mexicans prepare:
- Outdoor workers should let their bodies get used to the heat by gradually increasing work hours as it gets hot, slowing their work pace down when it gets hot, shifting work time to avoid the hottest times of the day, staying hydrated by drinking water regularly and resting in shade.
- Athletes and others who spend time outside should avoid being outside in the hottest parts of the day, drink water regularly, and rest in the shade.
- Never leaving children or pets in the car. When the temperature outside a car is 72°F, the temperature inside the car can reach 117°F within 60 minutes.
- Getting swamp coolers/air conditioners serviced before it gets too hot.
- Applying for Low Income Home Energy Assistance to help cover the cost of using air conditioners.
- Keeping window shades drawn during the day to help keep the heat out.
- Planting trees in your yard.
- Using appliances early in the day or at night when there is less strain on the electrical grid.
- Having a plan to get somewhere with air conditioning, such as a library or friend’s house especially for older adults and people with medical needs.
- Older adults and people taking medications should talk to their doctor about medications that make it harder for the body to cool itself in hot weather. These may include diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers, and some heart and high blood pressure medicines.
- Helping people who have limited capacity to understand how to avoid heat-related illness.
We remind you to Stay Cool, Stay Hydrated and Stay Informed. You can find more information at NM-Tracking - Heat Related Illness and you can also track your heat risk from the National Weather Service at NWS HeatRisk (noaa.gov).
Media Contact
We would be happy to provide additional information about this press release. Simply contact David Morgan at 575-528-5197 (Office) or 575-649-0754 (Mobile) with your questions.
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