With summer in full swing bringing extreme temperatures, VPCC safety officials urge the campus community to be on watch for signs associated with heat illness — dizziness, dehydration and disorientation. Prolonged exposure to the weather-related heat can cause these symptoms. Medical experts report other symptoms may also occur including dry, hot skin with no sweating; seizures or convulsions; upset stomach or vomiting and weakness. Heat illness involves the body's inability to cool down its core temperature by sweating, leading to serious conditions such as heat stress, heat exhaustion or heat stroke, a more severe condition that can cause permanent disabilities or death, according to experts.
College staff members who spend time outside as part of their duties are most vulnerable. If you recognize someone is suffering from heat stress, taking the following steps could make a difference:
These are just a few tips College safety officials offer as summer continues with potential for high heat and humidity. For more on extreme heat safety measures, check out the Virginia Department of Emergency Management online at vaemergency.gov.