With temperatures rising into the high 80s and low 90s through the rest of the week Kanawha County officials are reminding residents to stay cool and avoid a trip to the hospital.

Officials spoke Tuesday afternoon at the Kanawha County Ambulance Authority in Charleston to make the public aware of the dangers of extreme heat.

Temperatures so far this month have been in the high 80s and low 90s, a change from last month when temperatures fluctuated between the 60s and low 90s, according to data from the National Weather Service.

Residents could face bouts of heat exhaustion or suffer heat stroke, which can result in hospitalization.

“It can sneak up on you,” Lt. Alisha Samples, a paramedic with the Charleston fire Department, said of heat illnesses. “Small children and elderly people are more susceptible because they have a harder time regulating their body temperatures.”

Last Wednesday, more than 100 school children received onsite treatment for heat-related issues at Appalachian Power Park. two students and a teacher were taken to a hospital because of heat related illnesses on the 90-degree day.

Paramedics set up two stations to treat game goers and used wet washcloths and misters to cool them down.

Dr. Rahul Gupta, executive director of the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department, said heat strokes are the most life-threatening of heat-related illnesses.

Early symptoms of heat illness are profuse sweating, fatigue, thirst and muscle cramps. Symptoms continuing into heat exhaustion include headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea and vomiting, cool moist skin and dark urine.

Symptoms of a heat stroke, a much more serious condition, include fever, irrational behavior, dry hot red skin, rapid shallow breathing, weak pulse, seizures and unconsciousness.

To Gupta’s knowledge, no heat related fatalities have been reported this year.

“One of the main causes of these heat-related issues is the loss of fluids,” Gupta said. “We lose fluids through sweating, and we tend to get dehydrated faster.”

Children and residents over 65 years old, as well as those with certain medical conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity, are most at risk. Gupta said summertime is a good time to catch up with neighbors and to keep an eye on each other in case of heat-related emergencies.

“It can all be avoided by people being aware and taking proper precautions,” Gupta said.

He said people can stay safe by watching their fluid intake, staying away from extreme heat, wearing sunscreen and wearing light-colored clothing along with hats and sunglasses.

Sports drinks and water are advised for those spending time outside because they help replace electrolytes lost through sweating. Alcohol and caffeinated beverages like soft drinks and coffee are not advised.

Anita Ray, director of environmental health for the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department, said residents should remember to wear protective clothing and to bring shelter, like an umbrella, when going to outdoor events. she also warned of the potential dangers of eating food that has been improperly stored during warm weather.

Residents who live in multiple level homes should keep to the bottom levels if their home does not have air conditioning, said Dale Petry, director of Kanawha County’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

He said those who live in mobile homes without air conditioning might want to consider sitting in a shady area outside or going to a public place with AC.

Petry also advised against leaving children or animals unattended in vehicles during hot weather. He said pet owners should take precautions to keep their pets happy and healthy. .

Outdoor pets should be brought inside and supplied with plenty of water, he said.

BOB WOJCEISZAK/DAILY MAIL PHOTO

Kanawha County emergency and health officials, from left, Kimberly Shanklin of Kanawha County Ambulance Authority, Lt. Alisha Samples of Charleston fire Department, Metro 911 dispatcher Mike Fannin, county director of environmental health Anita Ray, Kanawha-Charleston Health Department Executive Director Dr. Rahul Gupta and Dale Petry, director of county Homeland Security and Emergency Management talked about ways to stay cool and avoid heat-related issues on warmer days.

Contact writer Ashley B. Craig at or 304-348-4850.

HONOLULU — The recent bouts of thick haze has been setting off allergies and asthma attacks for many people across the state.the haze is expected to worsen again Thursday, before conditions improve, according to the National Weather Service.These episodes of vog, typical of the winter months, are sending more and more people to see a doctor. ?I?m seeing a 30 to 40 percent increase in vog-related symptoms,? said allergist and immunologist Dr. Jeffrey Kam, ?The main complaints associated with the vog are the increasing breathing difficulties. the worst one is obviously the asthma flare-up. the can have nasal congestion, wheezing and the big one now is itchy and watery eyes and the irritated throat.?With increased activity at Kilauea volcano in the last year, the crater is pumping out a noticeable increase in emissions. Forecasters said, naturally, this spreads more vog across the state when a light wind pattern develops.for Mililani resident Amber Cehr, the hazy days triggered symptoms immediately since moving to Hawaii in 2006. ?I never knew it was the vog until I came to see Dr. Kam and he put it all into perspective,? said Cehr.Kam refers to the really sensitive types, like Cehr, as barometers. ?The littlest change or the littlest influx of vog and they start having symptoms. They?re very sensitive and they have to stay in air conditions and avoid exposure as much as possible,? said Kam.Those on medications are urged to continue taking them and maybe even see a physician if a higher dose is necessary. Kam said he has prescribes a lot of steroid medication to control some of the ailments. He also warns that the nasal congestion and wheezing can trigger an asthma attack, even in those who have never had a problem with asthma.the Kau district on the Island of Hawaii faces the brunt of the volcanic emissions year round. Administrators at the Kau State Hospital say, although they don?t have exact numbers because the constant influx of patients, anecdotally both clinic and emergency visits are significantly elevated one to three days after a severe episode of haze.

SOURCE: Enviro-Log, inc.

  Feb 15, 2011 10:57 ET

ATLANTA, GA–(Marketwire – February 15, 2011) –  Enviro-Log®, inc., an eco-friendly, consumer products and recycling company, wants to ensure you are prepared for the heavy snow and dangerously low temperatures winter storms can bring. In addition to chilly conditions outdoors, power outages during cold weather can cause the temperature inside your house to drop rapidly. According to the National Weather Service, about 20 percent of all deaths related to cold exposure occur in the house.

“We encourage every household to have an emergency kit in case of a prolonged power outage,” said Ross McRoy, president of Enviro-Log. ”The kit should contain items such as a flashlight, batteries, candles, matches, firewood, firelogs, a battery powered radio, a first aid kit, bottled water, canned food, and a manual can opener. if your home does not have an alternate heat source, such as a fireplace or portable propane or kerosene heater, it is best to seek shelter elsewhere.”

Recent winter storms have caused major power outages across the country. 174,000 homes lost power just in the Chicago area on February 1. on February 2, in Texas, an average of 330,000 customers suffered from power outages on a rotating basis throughout the day. Another 20,000 customers in New York and New Jersey were affected by power outages on February 7.

“We have a free standing open wood stove and during this recent very unusual cold front, when our power went out, Enviro-Log firelogs kept us and some neighbors warm,” said mark Shippy, an Enviro-Log customer in Texas. ”We were very pleased at how easy the firelogs were to light, and how safely they burned. We especially liked how much heat they produced and that we were able to burn more than one at a time.”

Enviro-Log offers these other winter storm safety tips to ensure your health and safety during the harsh winter weather:

• Monitor weather conditions. Listen to your radio, television, or check weather.com/ for weather reports and emergency information from the National Weather Service.

• Avoid over-exertion when shoveling snow. before tackling strenuous tasks in cold temperatures, consider your physical condition, the weather factors and the nature of the task. Over-exertion can bring on a heart attack, a major cause of death in the winter.

• Carry an emergency kit in your vehicle. Every vehicle should have an emergency kit in case you get stranded or your car breaks down. The emergency kit should be stocked with the following items: blankets/sleeping bags, cellular phone or two-way radio, windshield scraper, snow brush, flashlight with extra batteries, extra winter clothes, shovel, tow chain, matches, traction aids (bag of sand or cat litter), emergency flares, jumper cables, snacks, water, a first aid kit and road maps.

• Watch for signs of frostbite or hypothermia. Protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia by wearing warm, loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in several layers. keep your head and hands covered if you go outdoors. The signs of frostbite include loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes and the tip of the nose. Signs of hypothermia can include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness and apparent exhaustion. if symptoms are detected, seek medical help immediately.

• Check on neighbors and relatives. Help people who require special assistance such as elderly people living alone, people with disabilities and children.

• Keep pipes from freezing. If temperatures remain below freezing, the pipes in your home may freeze. Running water, even at a trickle, helps prevent pipes from freezing. 

For additional information on winter weather safety visit:

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) — fema.gov/hazard/winter/index.shtm
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/

About Enviro-Log, inc.  Enviro-Log® is an eco-friendly, consumer products and recycling company headquartered in Fitzgerald, Ga. Enviro-Log is the largest waxed cardboard recycler in North America and the third largest producer of manufactured firelogs in the U.S. its firelogs are made of 100 percent recycled materials and burn cleaner than wood while providing 50 percent more heat per pound. Enviro-Log firelogs can be purchased at select national retail locations including Home Depot, K-Mart, whole Foods, Weis Markets, Fred Meyer, Harris Teeter, Winn-Dixie and regional retailers throughout the U.S. Enviro-Log firelogs are also available in Canada at Lowe’s, Wal-Mart, and Canadian Tire locations. you can also follow Enviro-Log on Facebook® at facebook.com/pages/Enviro-Log-Firelogs/175880509093982

Enviro-Log is a registered trademark of Enviro-Log, inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are properties of their respective companies.

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The ritual is not new to Gary Dawoit. after each storm, he and two colleagues, armed with scrapers and shovels, have the unenviable task of clearing the snow from around three company cars.

“We’re digging out again and again,” said Dawoit with a laugh, “And yeah, it’s getting to wear thin.”

If it seems like it’s been a particularly snowy winter, that’s because it has been. while only four inches fell in Central Park on Friday, the National Weather Service said this sixth storm of season brings the total snowfall to a whopping 36.1 inches — three times the average amount for the period between December and January. So it’s not surprising that some people are feeling what could be called “snow fatigue.”

In fact, those feelings are actually normal for this time of year, said Dr. Simon Rego, director of psychology training at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx.

“If you’re thinking about the Northeast and given the frequency with which we’ve had snow storms this year, it’s quite a common phenomenon going on right now, especially in the new York area,” Rego said.

But depressive symptoms that linger for more than a few days should be considered a warning sign, Rego said.

A severe psychiatric disorder that’s more common this time of year is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, or S.A.D.  It’s a sub-type of a disorder called clinical depressive disorder, or depression, and tends to have its onset as the days get shorter. 

“A lot of people will get the winter blues as the days get colder and darker,” said Rego, “but actually a small percentage go on to develop lingering and severe feelings of depressed mood, which is there nearly everyday for at least a couple of weeks.”

People with S.A.D. often have several other severe symptoms such as decreased energy, overeating especially of carbohydrates, trouble with sleep and concentration and increased feelings of worthlessness.

“It’s when most of those symptoms occur all together for most of the day that it’s reaching a level that requires clinical attention.”

For most other people, Rego recommends adopting healthy routines to help combat the winter blues.

“Making sure you have a steady bedtime and rising time, eating healthy meals, continuing to exercise,” Rego said.

There are also those who seem immune from snow fatigue or the winter blues.  Village resident Linda Diane Polichetti called the snowy weather “magical.” 

“A lot people think find it annoying, but I love my seasons, you know,” said Polichetti.  And she’s feeling very confident about the prospects of more snow to come.

“I already predicted it,” said Polichetti. “I feel like I have a sixth sense. I already know we’re going to get three more storms. I know it. I just know it. I love it … it just puts a smile on my face.”