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TextHealth and Safety Podcast Transcript: July 14, 2010
Hello, and welcome to the Fairfax County Health and Safety Podcast for July 14, 2010. I’m Jim Person, Fairfax County emergency information officer. Coming up, learn about an information workshop on the county’s pre-disaster recovery plan, ways to stay safe in the summer heat and Virginia’s Hurricane Evacuation Guide. Links to topics mentioned in this podcast can be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov.
Fairfax County, led by the Office of Emergency Management, is developing a Pre-Disaster Recovery Plan. Area businesses, chambers of commerce, nonprofit organizations and faith-based organizations are invited to a Pre-Disaster Recovery Plan information workshop Wednesday, Aug. 4, 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the McConnell Public Safety and Transportation Operations Center, 4890 Alliance Drive in Fairfax.
The workshop will define how a Pre-Disaster Recovery Plan can best serve the needs of Fairfax County and explore how your participation can streamline disaster recovery and mitigate hardships organizations could face in the aftermath of a disaster. Contact Amanda Phan at 571-350-1010 with any questions. To register to attend the workshop, and for more information on the PreDisaster Recovery Plan project, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/oem/pdrp.
This summer has already broken heat records. Some simple tips can help you beat the heat:
- Drink plenty of fluids — two to four glasses of cool fluids each hour.
- Do not drink caffeinated or alcoholic beverages – they dehydrate the body.
- Keep cool indoors: Stay in an air-conditioned area, if you can. Resting for just two hours in air conditioning can significantly reduce heat-related illnesses. Libraries, community and recreation centers, and senior centers offer an air-conditioned getaway.
- Plan outdoor activities around the heat: If you must go outside, go before noon or at night when it's cooler. Avoid strenuous physical activities or reschedule them for the coolest part of the day, usually early morning.
- Give your body a break: Heat is stressful; limit physical activity until your body adjusts to the heat.
- Eat light meals: Avoid high-protein foods because they increase metabolic heat.
- Don’t take salt tablets unless directed by a physician.
- Wear light-colored clothing, which helps reflect sunlight.
- Wear sunscreen to prevent sunburn. Sunburn makes it more difficult for your body to cool off.
- Never leave children or pets unattended in a car — not even for a few minutes. Even with the windows slightly open, the temperature in a car on a 93-degree day can soar to 125 degrees in just 20 minutes and approximately 140 degrees in 40 minutes.
- More tips and helpful summer safety information can be found online at: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/prepare/summer.
Finally, Virginia’s official Hurricane Evacuation Guide is available online at www.ReadyVirginia.gov. The guide contains important information on:
- Evacuation routes.
- The effects of storm surge on coastal areas.
- Bridge, tunnel and ferry closure plans.
- Hurricane watches and warnings.
- Personal emergency preparedness and making a family emergency plan.
That’s it for this edition of the Fairfax County Health and Safety Podcast, produced by the Fairfax County, Virginia government. Thanks for listening. Additional information about health and safety topics and emergency preparedness may be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov. And remember, if you have a police, fire or medical emergency, call 9-1-1. For non-emergency needs, call 703-691-2131.
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