HOT WEATHER SAFETY TIPS FROM PORTLAND PARKS & RECREATION - STAY COOL, BE SAFE!
Posted: July 1st, 2011 12:34 PM
July 1st, 2011
For Immediate Release
Hot Weather Safety Tips from Portland Parks & Recreation
Stay Cool, Be Safe!
(Portland, OR) -
With the year's first stretch of HOT WEATHER in the forecast and 4th of July celebrations coming up, many safety tips are available from Portland Parks & Recreation.
DRINK ENOUGH WATER!
Avoid overheating. Dehydration is classified as mild, moderate, or severe based on how much of the body's fluid is lost or not replenished. Stay hydrated. Our bodies are comprised of 70% fluid and without maintaining regular water intake, we can get into serious trouble. Our bodies need more than the normal 8 cups of water a day when it's hot outside. Increase water intake even more if you are working, exercising or playing when it's hot out. When severe, dehydration can lead to a life-threatening emergency also known as Heat Stroke.
Heat emergencies fall into three categories of increasing severity: heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke.
Heat illnesses are easily preventable by taking precautions in hot weather.
Children, elderly, and obese people have a higher risk of developing heat illness. People taking certain medications or drinking alcohol also have a higher risk. However, even a top athlete in superb condition can succumb to heat illness if he or she ignores the warning signs.
If the problem isn't addressed, heat cramps (caused by loss of salt from heavy sweating) can lead to heat exhaustion (caused by dehydration), which can progress to heatstroke. Heatstroke, the most serious of the three, can cause shock, brain damage, organ failure, and even death. Heat stroke can be a life-threatening condition. Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001977/
SKIN PROTECTION: Even too much sun can hurt! Protect the skin from the direct sun by wearing large brim hats, long sleeve/ long pants - lightweight clothing and use sunscreen. Another great option is to seek shade under a tree in one of our many great parks.
FOOD POISONING PREVENTION:
Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. When hot foods cool & cold foods get lukewarm, bacteria thrive. This is especially challenging in the heat of summer as food tend to migrate towards the DANGER zone where bacteria can grow very quickly in the exposed food, especially foods with mayonnaise, milk, eggs and meat.
Many of Portland Parks & Recreation's (PP&R's) pools will remain open over the holiday weekend. Enjoy an inexpensive and refreshing way to keep your cool!
Independence Day Weekend Special Swim Times & Pool Closures
http://www.portlandonline.com/parks/index.cfm?a=353499&c=38284
East Portland Community Center Pool OPEN July 4, 11am-5pm
11am-1:30pm Lap Swim
11:30am-1pm Family Swim
1-5pm Open Play Swim
Grant Pool OPEN July 4, 12-6pm
12-1pm Lap Swim
12-1pm Parent/Preschool Swim
1:10-4:25pm Open Play Swim
4:30-6pm Family Swim
4:30-6pm Lap Swim
Matt Dishman Pool CLOSED July 4
Montavilla Pool CLOSED July 4
Mt Scott Pool OPEN July 4, 12-5:30pm
12-5:30pm Lap Swim
12-1:30pm Family Swim
1:30-5:30pm Open Play Swim
Sellwood Pool OPEN July 4, 1-5pm
1-5pm Open Play Swim
Southwest Community Center Pool
OPEN July 4, 10am-5:30pm
10am-5:30pm Lap Swim (lanes vary)
10am-10:55am Aquaerobics
11am-11:55am S.M.I.L.E. (shallow)
11:30am-1pm Family Swim (leisure pool only)
1-5:30pm Open Play Swim (both pools)
Wilson Pool OPEN July 4, 12-6pm
12-6pm Open Play Swim
Buckman Pool CLOSED July 2-4
Columbia Pool CLOSED July 4
Creston Pool CLOSED July 4
Peninsula Pool CLOSED July 4
Pier Pool CLOSED July 4
FREE Open Play swim sessions Summer 2011 schedule:
http://www.portlandonline.com/parks/index.cfm?c=52718
Barbara Aguon
Safety Manager
Portland Parks & Recreation
1120 SW 5th #1302
Portland Oregon 97204
503-823-5478
OR
For more information, call 503.823.5300 or visit portlandparks.org.
Mark Ross Public Information Officer
Portland Parks & Recreation
503.823.5300 (office); 503.823.6634 (cell)
Mark.ross@portlandoregon.gov
Healthy Parks, Healthy Portland
portlandparks.org
Nick Fish, Commissioner | Zari Santner, Director
###
Replies to this message do not go back to the sender.
Go to http://FlashAlert.net/login.html to change or delete these messages.
