Keep Cool Project
While the sunny skies and warm temperatures provide many opportunities for recreation, this is also the time of the year when risks of becoming dehydrated and sick from the heat are the greatest.
Dehydration simply means that the body does not have enough water, and this affects its ability to function normally. Elderly persons are at higher risk of dehydration because as we grow older our bodies have less ability to hold on to water and to feel thirsty.
For Tunica County, Sheriff Hamp recognizes the ultimate threat our senior citizens in our community face each summer at the risk of overheating. Sheriff Hamp and members of his staff seek out funding through the Mississippi Leadership Council on Aging to promote a coordinated effort among law enforcement and local communities. This effort is intended to reduce crime against senior citizens and protect the elderly population.
With this funding, Sheriff Hamp and TCSO are allowed to purchase 20 box fans annually as part of the KEEP COOL PROJECT.
Seniors are identified each summer that do not have a way to keep cool and members of our teams deliver these individuals a fan and encourage them to keep cool during the summer months.
Additional, simple measures can be taken to KEEP COOL:
-Dressing with light colored and thin airy clothes.
-Staying out of the sun and heat as much as possible.
-Not exercising or going for long walks in hot weather.
-Drinking plenty of fluids. Water alone is not sufficient. Oral rehydrating solutions add salts (electrolytes) to the water and can be purchased from most stores and pharmacies.
-Resting in the shade or air conditioned rooms.
-Using water and other means of cooling the body should there be an absence of sweating despite the body temperature rising.
-Avoid traveling to hot climates during the summer months.
-Being aware of the early symptoms of heat related illnesses like cramps, exhaustion, nausea, headaches and other symptoms that may come about suddenly and seeking treatment immediately.
Original source can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up