Welcome to the Martinsville, Henry & Patrick Counties Chapter of the American Red Cross
Martinsville Office 276-632-5127 or
Stuart Office 276-694-3505
Mission Statement
The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.
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We can't wait for you to join our team!
Thank you for visiting our site.
BE RED CROSS READY
GET A KIT......MAKE A PLAN......BE INFORMED.
Be Red Cross Ready
Heat Wave Safety Checklist
How can I prepare? What should I do
during a heat wave?
Recognize and care for heat-related
emergencies …
In recent years, excessive heat has
caused more deaths than all other
weather events, including floods. A
heat wave is a prolonged period of
excessive heat, often combined with
excessive humidity. Generally
temperatures are 10 degrees or more
above the average high temperature
for the region during summer months,
last for a long period of time and occur
with high humidity as well.
Heat cramps are muscular pains and
spasms that usually occur in the legs or
abdomen caused by exposure to high heat
and humidity and loss of fluids and
electrolytes. Heat cramps are often an
early sign that the body is having trouble
with the heat.
Heat exhaustion typically involves the
loss of body fluids through heavy sweating
during strenuous exercise or physical labor
in high heat and humidity.
❏ Signs of heat exhaustion include cool,
moist, pale or flushed skin; heavy
sweating; headache; nausea; dizziness;
weakness; and exhaustion.
❏ Move the person to a cooler place.
Remove or loosen tight clothing and
apply cool, wet cloths or towels to the
skin. Fan the person. If the person is
conscious, give small amounts of cool
water to drink. Make sure the person
drinks slowly. Watch for changes in
condition.
❏ If the person refuses water, vomits or
begins to lose consciousness, call 9-1-1
or the local emergency number.
Heat stroke (also known as sunstroke) is
a life-threatening condition in which a
person’s temperature control system stops
working and the body is unable to cool
itself.
❏ Signs of heat stroke include hot, red skin
which may be dry or moist; changes in
consciousness; vomiting; and high body
temperature.
❏ Heat stroke is life-threatening. Call 9-1-1
or the local emergency number
immediately.
❏ Move the person to a cooler place.
Quickly cool the person’s body by giving
care as you would for heat exhaustion.
If needed, continue rapid cooling by
applying ice or cold packs wrapped in a
cloth to the wrists, ankles, groin, neck
and armpits.
Know the Difference
Excessive Heat Watch—Conditions are favorable for an
excessive heat event to meet or exceed local Excessive Heat
Warning criteria in the next 24 to 72 hours.
Excessive Heat Warning—Heat Index values are forecast to
meet or exceed locally defined warning criteria for at least 2 days
(daytime highs=105-110° Fahrenheit).
Heat Advisory—Heat Index values are forecast to meet locally
defined advisory criteria for 1 to 2 days (daytime highs=100-105°
Fahrenheit).
For more information on disaster and emergency preparedness, visit RedCross.org.
Copyright © 2009 by the American National Red Cross | Stock No. 658529
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