Prevent-and-treat-heat-related-illness.pdf
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- Solicitation number
- BD-27-1025-DOCFS-FISCM-131451
- Issued by
- Massachusetts
About this file
This is an educational informational document issued by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Climate and Environmental Health, regarding the prevention and treatment of heat-related illness. The document provides guidance to the public on recognizing and responding to three categories of heat-related conditions: heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. For heat cramps, characterized by excessive sweating and muscle contractions, the recommended actions include providing hydration and rest in a cool environment. Heat exhaustion presents with fatigue, weak pulse, cold and clammy skin, nausea, headache, and dizziness, requiring fluid intake, cooling measures, and rest. Heat stroke, the most severe condition marked by body temperature exceeding 103°F, altered mental state, seizures, and potential unconsciousness, requires immediate emergency services (911) and immediate cooling interventions including wet towels and removal of outer clothing.
The document includes medical referral criteria for each condition, advising when professional medical attention should be sought based on symptom severity, duration, and individual health risk factors such as heart disease, high blood pressure, asthma, and diabetes. This informational resource is designed to educate the Massachusetts public on recognizing critical symptoms and implementing appropriate first-aid responses during extreme heat conditions. The document directs individuals to additional resources available at mass.gov/ExtremeHeat for comprehensive extreme heat safety guidance.
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| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Extreme Heat Events.pdf |
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Text version
Heat cramps
Look for:
• Lots of sweating
• Muscle cramps (often in the stomach, arms, or legs)
Actions to take:
• Provide water, clear juice, or a sports drink
• Encourage individuals to stop exerting themselves physically and move to a cool place
• Have them wait for the cramps to go away before doing any more physical activity
Seek medical attention if:
• The person’s symptoms are getting worse
• Cramps last longer than 1 hour
• The person is on a low sodium diet, has heart problems, high blood pressure, or other medical conditions like asthma or diabetes.
Look for:
Symptoms above plus:
• High body temperature
(higher than 103°F)
• Throbbing headache
• Seizures
• Altered mental state or confusion
• Unconsciousness (passing out)
Heat stroke Actions to take:
• CALL 911 – THIS IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY
• Cool Immediately:
▪ Apply cool wet towels or soak with cool water
▪ Remove outer clothing
• Keep them safe:
▪ If there is vomiting, turn the person on their side to keep the airway open
▪ If they are having a seizure, make the area safe by removing anything that may cause injury
Heat exhaustion Look for:
Symptoms above plus:
• Feeling tired or weak
• Fast or weak pulse
• Cold, pale, and clammy skin
• Nausea or vomiting
• Headache or dizziness
• Irritability
Actions to take:
• Provide water and encourage them to drink more fluids
• Move them to a cool place
• Encourage them to lie down
• Loosen their clothes or change into lightweight clothing
• Apply cool wet towels or cloths on the person
Seek medical attention if:
• The person is throwing up
• The person is getting worse
• Symptoms last longer than 1 hour
• The person has heart problems, high blood pressure, or other medical conditions like asthma or diabetes
Know the signs and beat the heat!
Learn More at mass.gov/ExtremeHeatMassachusetts Department of Public Health Bureau of Climate and Environmental Health
Prevent and treat heat-related illness https://www.mass.gov/info-details/extreme-heat-safety-tips https://www.mass.gov/extreme-heat
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .