Hot Weather Health Update
(July 28, 1997) – The Hot Weather Health Warning issued Saturday has been downgraded to a Hot Weather Health Advisory by health officials in the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County. the National Weather Service has canceled the Excessive Heat Warning for the City of St. Louis, issued Saturday, and the Heat Advisory for the entire metropolitan St. Louis area, issued last Friday, because of lower temperatures predicted for today.
Even though temperatures and heat indices have returned to more normal summer levels, the Hot Weather Health Advisory will stay in effect for today, to remind everyone that dwellings may still be hot.
A survey of area hospitals revealed that over the weekend 14 individuals were treated and released for heat illness, with two hospital admissions, in the City of St. Louis. For St. Louis County, there were three individuals admitted and 19 treated and released for heat illness. This information is for the previous 48 hours.
Everyone in the Metropolitan St. Louis area, especially the elderly and others at high risk for heat illness, should continue to take precautions to protect their health. All citizens and visitors to St. Louis are adivsed to follow the Department of Health and Hospitals' Hot Weather Tips until the predicted cooler temperatures arrive.
Check at least daily on elderly neighbors and relatives. High risk individuals should spend at least the hottest part of the day in air conditioned quarters. Individuals working in the heat are advised to drink plenty of non-alcoholic beverages and take frequent breaks in the shade.
Pets are also affected by extreme heat. Please make sure that outdoor pets have access to shade and fresh water at all times, and do not leave pets in closed vehicles.
For help with a serious heat illness, call 911. For information about services of Operation Weather Service member agencies that help individuals survive the heat, call the Operation Weather Survival Hotline at the Human Development Corporation at 535-7607.
Find out more about heat-related illnesses, prevention and treatment.