FR: Sarah Van Orman, MD MD FACHA; Vice President and Chief Campus Health Officer; Division Chief for College Health, Keck School of Medicine
Deona Willes, MPH, CLS, Executive Director, USC Environmental Health and Safety
RE: Health Advisory — Excessive Heat
An excessive heat warning has been issued for our region from 10 AM on Monday, 8/28 through 8 PM on Tuesday, 8/29. During daylight hours, we encourage our faculty, staff, students and visitors to stay well hydrated, limit physical activity and stay indoors or in shaded areas to prevent heat illnesses. Additional tips are available on our Heat Illness Prevention fact sheet.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion include: headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, irritability, thirst, heavy sweating, elevated body temperature, and decreased urine output.
All individuals are advised to avoid the sun when possible, stay indoors from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. if possible, when the burning rays are strongest; drink plenty of fluids – drink 2 to 4 glasses of water every hour during times of extreme heat; replace salt and minerals – sweating removes salt and minerals from your body, so replenish these nutrients with low sugar fruit juices or sports drinks during exercise or when working outside; avoid alcohol – alcohol can cause dehydration; pace yourself – reduce physical activity and avoid exercising outdoors during peak heat hours; wear appropriate clothing – wear a wide-brimmed hat and light-colored lightweight, loose-fitting clothes when you are outdoors; and stay cool indoors when possible.
As temperatures rise, rooms and buildings may feel warm because we have adjusted our HVAC systems to maximize outside airflow to increase ventilation. This is to reduce the transmission of respiratory droplets and is a preventive measure to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses.
Hotter buildings may be perceived as having poor ventilation but the opposite is true – when the temperature outside is warm, the warm outdoor air is circulated indoors. During a heat wave, a warm building is a sign of good air exchange.
Employees and students with individual concerns should seek guidance, including about potential accommodations, from Human Resources or OSAS.
