Public Information Office 210 S. McDonald Street Suite 626 McKinney, Texas 75069 www.collincountytx.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 2, 2005

Collin County issues health advisory following heat-related death

(McKinney, TX) – Collin County Health Care Services and the Medical Examiner’s Office are issuing an advisory to residents following a heat-related death. A Collin County man collapsed and died last week as a result of extreme heat.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more people in this country die from extreme heat than from hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, floods and earthquakes combined. In 2001, 300 deaths were caused by excessive heat exposure.

“People can die from excessive heat exposure if they do not take the necessary precautions,” says Collin County Medical Examiner Dr. William Rohr. “There are a number of risk factors and people need to be aware of who is at greatest risk.”

The elderly, the very young, patients with chronic diseases and those who are unfit and those not accustomed to the heat are at risk. Some prescription drug and alcohol use can also affect the body’s ability to cool itself.

Persons can protect themselves from extreme heat by:

• Drinking 16-32 ounces of cool fluids each hour unless a physician has a person on a different regimen
• Avoiding caffeine, alcohol and large amounts of sugar consumption
• Wearing lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing
• Wearing sunscreen (a sunburn affects the body’s ability to cool itself)
• Trying to limit outdoor activity to morning and evening hours
• Trying to stay in an air-conditioned environment
• Monitoring the condition of co-workers who are outside

“We are also asking residents to monitor friends and family in high risk categories,” says Dr. Rohr. “Be sure to check on those who are age 65 and older, those who are physically ill from heart disease or high blood pressure, as well as infants and those who are overweight. People who live in a non-air conditioned residence should also be monitored.”

“Just use common sense,” says Dr. Rohr.

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