Oregon Health Authority is encouraging people to take steps to avoid heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion as advisories predicting triple-digit temperatures go into effect this week.
Older adults, infants and children, those who live or work outdoors, have low incomes, or who have a chronic medical condition are particularly vulnerable to the effects of extremely high temperatures. Heat-related illnesses among these groups are likely to increase as heat waves occur more often than usual – and at higher temperatures – around the state.
OHA offers these tips to stay safe and healthy during extreme heat:
1. Stay cool.
- Stay in air-conditioned places, if possible.
- Limit exposure to the sun from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. when temperatures are hottest, and avoid direct sunlight. Schedule outdoor activities in the early morning and late evening.
- Open windows to allow fresh air to circulate if it cools off in the morning and evening hours. Close shades on south and west-facing windows during afternoon hours.
- Use portable electric fans to push hot air out of rooms or draw in cooler air, but don’t rely on a fan as a primary cooling device.
- Wear loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothing to keep cool and protect skin from the sun. Dress infants and children similarly.
- Use cool compresses, misting and cool showers or baths to lower your body temperature.
- Avoid hot foods and heavy meals, which increase body heat.
- Never leave infants, children or pets in a parked car
- Check on at-risk friends, family and neighbors several times a day. Heat-related illnesses can make it hard to think clearly. This means people may be in danger without realizing it. Make sure loved ones have what they need to stay cool.
2. Stay hydrated.
- Regardless of your level of activity, drink plenty of fluids, even if you are not thirsty, and especially when working outside.
- Avoid alcohol or liquids containing large amounts of sugar, which can increase dehydration. Alcohol can be especially dangerous when used as a substitute for water hydration, and increases risks of alcohol-related injuries.
- Make sure your family, friends and neighbors drink enough water.
3. Stay informed.
- Keep up to date on the heat risk and heat index when planning activities so you can find ways to stay cool and hydrated.
- Learn how to prevent, recognize and treat heat-related illnesses.
- Heat-related illness can develop in as little as 10-15 minutes. It can happen indoors and outdoors.
- Some heat-related illnesses can be managed at home or at urgent care. However, if you or someone you see is experiencing confusion or unconsciousness due to heat exposure, call 911. It is a medical emergency.
Ways to stay cool without an air conditioner:
- Air conditioners can help you stay cool, but not everyone has one. Visiting friends with an air conditioner or going to cooling centers in your community can help you stay cool.
- Local houses of worship and libraries may be open to the public during times of extreme heat. Splash pads and shopping centers can also be places to cool off.
- Water is also great for cooling you off when it’s hot. Drape yourself with a damp towel, take a cool bath or shower or take a dip in a fountain. These actions can help cool you off in a hurry and work better when it’s not humid.
- If you have a cooler part of the house, such as a basement, spend time there during the hottest parts of the day.
For more information, visit OHA’s website: www.oregon.gov/heat.
Air conditioners for eligible OHP members
Oregon launched new climate-related benefits as part of the state’s federally funded expansion of Oregon Health Plan (OHP) coverage, which includes health-related social needs (HRSN) services that help maintain health and well-being but are not traditionally thought of as medical services. New services include providing climate-control devices such as air conditioners, air filters, mini refrigeration units and portable power supplies to eligible OHP members.
OHP members interested in receiving climate devices should contact their coordinated care organization (CCO) to learn more. OHP Open Card members can call 1-888-834-4304 or email ORHRSN@acentra.com. If an OHP member is not sure which plan or CCO they are in, they can call the OHA Client Services Unit at 1-800-273-0557.
OHP members who don’t qualify for HRSN climate devices can still contact their CCO to see if climate supports are available through “flexible services” (also called “health-related services”). OHP Open Card members who don’t qualify for HRSN climate devices can still contact 1-888-834-4304 or their county to learn about local programs providing climate supports this summer. For non-OHP members in Oregon, some cities and counties have similar programs with a limited supply of devices.
Contact 211
During periods of extreme heat, counties often open cooling spaces for local communities to seek relief from high temperatures; these will be listed here, by county, based on the information shared with 211 by the shelter providers. Opening hours are based on specific counties’ and individual agencies’ criteria.
Methods to contact 211:
- CALL 211 or 1-866-698-6155 or TTY: dial 711 and call 1-866-698-6155, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
- TEXT your ZIP code to 898211 (TXT211), Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- EMAIL help@211info.org, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Language interpreters available by phone; text and email in Spanish and English)
If there is a shelter that is not listed online, or information that needs to be edited, please email 211’s resource team: support@211info.org.
During times of emergency incident response, 211’s answer rate may vary