Back to School - Beat the Heat

FIRST-PERSON COLUMN
Dr. Tom Burnham
State Superintendent of Education
August 5, 2010

I hope that everyone had a great summer and was able to take time to relax and recharge the mind and body after a very strenuous academic school year. In a few days, schools across the state will be welcoming back students for another year of learning and fun.
As you are aware, Mississippi is experiencing some of the hottest temperatures in its history. According to the National Weather Service - Jackson Office, high temperature records have been either tied or broken in many cities across the state and it appears that there is no sign of immediate relief in sight. During these times, it is extremely important that school officials and parents share in the responsibility of working together to monitor the health of children and by keeping them safe from extreme heat. It is also important for school officials to limit the exposure of their staff to dangerous heat.

Here are some tips that parents, teachers, school officials and staff can follow to help prevent heat-related illnesses:

• Dress for the heat: Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some the sun’s energy.
• Drink plenty of water: Water should be consumed throughout the school day. Even if a child does not feel thirsty, make sure they drink plenty of water. Stay away from caffeinated drinks as they will dehydrate the body. Ensuring that a child is well hydrated is the number one precautionary measure to take during these extreme temperatures.
• Slow down and avoid strenuous activity.
• Stay indoors whenever possible: If air-conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor, out of the sunshine. Remember, electric fans do not cool, they simply circulate hot air.
• Parents should never leave a child in a closed, parked vehicle.

Conditions parents and school officials should recognize if someone has been exposed to severe heat:

• Heat Cramps: Cramps are muscular pains and spasms caused by heavy exertion.
• Heat Exhaustion: Usually occurs when people exercise to heavily, work or play in warm, humid places where body fluids are lost. Symptoms include cool, moist, pale or flushed skin, heavy sweating, headache, nausea or vomiting and dizziness.
• Heat Stroke: Can be life threatening. Symptoms include hot, red and dry skin, changes in consciousness, rapid, weak pulse and shallow breathing.

If you should notice someone developing any of these conditions an immediate and appropriate response is required. According to medical experts, guidelines for parents and school officials to follow include: removing the child from the heat, quickly applying cool wet cloths to lower body temperature, which will improve outcomes and limit complications and immediately notify medical officials. Schools should have an emergency preparedness plan that deals with heat related illnesses. Every minute is critical when responding to a heat related illness.

Students participating in outdoor activities especially need to be carefully monitored. The Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) recommends a variety of methods to prevent over exposure to heat that include cooling stations with water and ice, mist fans, taking more frequent breaks and monitoring the environment by using heat index charts or digital hand held devices. A complete listing of MHSAA’s recommendations can be found at www.misshsaa.com.

This can be the best year ever academically for K-12 education in Mississippi. Schools officials, teachers, parents and the entire community must work together to monitor the safety of our children while ensuring a cool and comfortable learning environment. Staying focused on what matters most, health and academics, will ensure that K-12 education in Mississippi will set records of its own - records of high academic student achievement.

(Contact: Pete Smith, Director of Communications, 601-359-1336.)