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-------- Original Message --------
040
NOUS41 KWBC 221229
PNSWSH
Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Headquarters Washington DC
827 AM EDT Tue May 22 2012
To: Subscribers:
-Family of Services
-NOAA Weather Wire Service
-Emergency Managers Weather Information Network
-NOAAPORT
-Other NWS Partners and NWS Employees
From: Eli Jacks
Chief, Fire and Public Weather Services Branch
Subject: Excessive Heat and Sun Safety Guidance for 2012 Season
This Friday, May 25, 2012, has been declared national "Dont Fry
Day" by the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention (NCSCP).
Once again, the NOAA/NWS is pleased to partner with the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA), the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) and NCSCP on this campaign to alert the
public to the dangers of extreme heat and the need to ensure
protection from ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Heat and UV radiation are silent killers that do not have the same
visual impact as other weather hazards such as tornadoes and
hurricanes; however, on average, more than 30 outdoor workers have
died from heat overexposure each year since 2003. In addition,
more than 3 million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the
U.S. each year: more than cases of breast, colon, lung and
prostate cancers combined. Furthermore, high UV Index values can
occur when it is not particularly hot.
Heat can be a killer for children or pets left in parked vehicles.
Each year children left in vehicle die, or suffer permanent,
severe health impacts. Last year, 33 children died from
hyperthermia. Studies have shown the temperature inside a parked
vehicle can rise rapidly to dangerous levels, even on a mild day.
Preventive measures can be taken to avoid the harmful effects of
exposure to excessive heat and UV radiation. The first step is to
be aware of existing heat and UV radiation services and safety
information. Available public resources are:
NWS: Heat-related Watch, Warning, and Advisory (WWA) products are
disseminated to NWS partners and the public whenever excessive
heat events are expected. These products can be accessed anytime
at:
www.weather.gov
In addition, a variety of resources and information relating to
excessive heat is available on the NOAAWatch Website via the
"Excessive Heat" tab at:
http://www.noaawatch.gov/themes/heat.php
and on the NWS heat safety page at:
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/heat/index.shtml
These Websites provide details on the definitions and intended
usage of NWS heat-related products, an explanation of the Heat
Index and how it is used in NWS forecast operations, and safety
tips for staying safe in the summer heat and sun. Additional
information on summer safety, and the associated impacts of
excessive heat and sun on the human body is provided via our
partners links cited below.
EPA: Daily updates on the UV Index and associated sun safety steps
are available at the "SunWise" Website at:
http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/
A national map depicting forecast elevated and "alert" UV levels
for the mid-day period around the contiguous 48 states is provided
as an experimental product on the Climate Prediction Center
Website at:
www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/stratosphere/uv_index/uv_alert.shtml
The "SunWise" Website also provides users with the capability to
access their local UV Index by ZIP code and to receive automated
UV Alerts via email when UV radiation is anomalously high for a
particular location whenever an Alert is in effect. EPA also
offers the UV Index as a smart phone application at:
http://www.epa.gov/enviro/mobile/
An Excessive Heat Events Guidebook for the public, developed by
the EPA in 2006 in collaboration with the NWS, CDC, and the
Department of Homeland Security provides guidance communities can
use to develop mitigation plans. This guidebook is online at:
http://www.epa.gov/heatisland/about/heatguidebook.html
OSHA: OSHA launched a heat illness prevention campaign for outdoor
workers in April 2011. Information on the campaign and new
resources, including illustrated fact sheets and worksite posters,
training resources, and public service announcements are available
at:
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/index.html
NWS and OSHA are also partnering to increase awareness for outdoor
workers and their employers during excessive heat events. NWS will
continue including specific outdoor worker safety precautions within
its Heat Advisories and Excessive Heat Warnings this summer.
CDC: Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United
States, and the majority of these cancers are caused by exposure
to UV radiation. Skin cancer risk can be reduced by seeking shade,
wearing protective clothing, using sunscreen with broad spectrum
(UVA and UVB rays) protection and sun protection factor (SPF) 15
or higher, and avoiding tanning beds. CDC provides leadership for
nationwide efforts to reduce illness and death caused by skin
cancer through education, surveillance, and research efforts.
Information on skin cancer statistics, prevention, and CDCs skin
cancer initiatives is available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/
NCSCP: The National Council is an umbrella organization of
45 major national groups dedicated to preventing skin cancer,
including the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Cancer
Society, the Melanoma Research Foundation, and the Skin Cancer
Foundation, as well as federal agency partners and many smaller
family foundations devoted to disease prevention. Specific tips
on preventing skin cancer as well as more than 35 "Dont Fry Day"
resources, including media guides, posters, graphics, and an
"Action Kit for Meteorologists" are available at the National
Councils Website at:
http://www.skincancerprevention.org
NHTSA: NHTSA has been engaging concerned parents, advocacy
groups, automotive experts, and health and law enforcement
professionals across the country to discuss the best ways to raise
awareness and to propose strategies for preventing tragic deaths
of children in hot cars. This year, the agency launched its
"Wheres Baby? Look Before You Lock" campaign. This campaign
includes radio and online advertisements, template materials, and
logos available online for anyone interested in highlighting the
dangers of vehicular heatstroke.
www.safercar.gov/heatstroke
The partners offer the following heat wave and UV safety tips:
1. Slow down. Strenuous work or recreational activities should
be reduced, eliminated, or rescheduled to the coolest time of the
day.
2. Get acclimated. Gradually increase outdoor work and
recreational activities so your body adjusts to hot conditions.
3. Dress in lightweight, light-colored clothing to reflect heat
and sunlight, and wear sunglasses and hats.
4. Drink plenty of water or other non-alcoholic fluids. Drinking
alcoholic beverages should be avoided.
5. Do not take salt tablets unless directed by a physician.
6. Take frequent breaks during work or play. Spend more time in
air-conditioned places and seek shade outside, especially during
midday hours.
7. Check the UV Index, follow the "SunWise" safety steps, and
avoid prolonged exposure to the sun. Avoid indoor tanning.
8. Never leave any person or pet in a closed, parked vehicle for
any amount of time.
9. Generously apply sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher that provides
broad spectrum (both UVA and UVB rays) protection.
10. Know what the signs and symptoms or heat illness are - check on
workers, particularly those wearing protective suits.
Elderly persons, small children, chronic invalids, those on
certain medications or drugs, outdoor workers, persons with weight
and alcohol problems and caretakers for these people should pay
especially close attention to the above tips, particularly during
heat waves in areas where excessive heat is rare.
Educate yourself and the public on the dangers of excessive heat
and overexposure to the sun, and what preventive measures to take
to avoid skin cancer and heat-related illnesses or deaths. You can
help save lives.
For further information, please contact:
Jannie G. Ferrell
jannie.g.ferrell@xxxxxxxx
301-713-1867 x135
National Public Information Statements are online at:
http://www.weather.gov/os/notif.htm
$$
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