Elderly fall victim to heat stress

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Elderly fall victim to heat stress

The Australian

January 7, 2004

A spate of heat-stress cases in Brisbane today have ambulance officers worried.

Queensland Ambulance Service communications manager Martin Kelly said elderly people in particular were falling victim to the rising temperatures and humidity and required hospital treatment.

"We had six cases in the period of one hour and most of those were heat-related," Mr Kelly told reporters today.

The calls started coming in around midday and more were expected, he said.

Mr Kelly said dehydration placed stress on the heart and respiratory system.

It was important to avoid exercise in the middle of the day, try to stay in an air-conditioned or cool room, drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol, tea and coffee.

People should also check on elderly relatives and neighbours who often locked their doors and windows out of security concerns.

"We are really worried that as today was so bad, obviously as each day goes on it will become worse and worse," Mr Kelly said.

"We normally only see this after five or six days of really hot weather, so it's a bit of a concern that if we have a few more, we could be facing some problems."

Many people did not realise they were in trouble until they started showing symptoms such as flushed or pale skin, cramps, fainting or collapse, vomiting, headaches and dizziness.

"But generally, the first big sign is when they stop sweating," Mr Kelly said.

Animals were also at risk in the heat.

The RSPCA said transport companies risked jail and fines if they transported pets in enclosed compartments and trailers.

The heat and lack of air in a confined space could kill an animal in as little as six minutes, said RSPCA Queensland chief executive Mark Townend.
"Six minutes and they are dead but less than that can fry their brains too. It's disgusting," he said.

Some bus and limousine companies were often careless with the way they handled animals.

"We are finding some of the coach companies pick up people from Brisbane airport and take them down the coast but they don't put their pet containers in the air-conditioned comfort in the vehicle."
"They put it in the boot."