Dr. Damon T. Arnold, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, is urging Illinoisans this week to take preventive actions during this extremely hot weather to avoid heat-related illness, such as heat-stroke. The Department of Public Health encourages preventive action. Read full press release.

Prevention tips to beat the heat:

• Drink more of fluids regardless of your activity level. Do not wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Make an extra effort to drink a minimum of six to eight 8 ounce glasses of cool fluids daily. During heavy exercise in a hot environment, drink two to four glasses of cool fluids each hour. Parents should be sure young children get sufficient fluids. If you are on a special fluid-restricted diet or if you take diuretics, ask your physician about fluid intake during hot weather.
• Avoid liquids that contain caffeine, alcohol or large amounts of sugar – they cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks because they can cause stomach cramps.
• Take cool showers, baths or sponge baths, which can reduce body temperatures. In addition, wet clothing has a cooling effect.
• Protect your body. Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. When spending time outdoors, avoid direct sunlight, wear a hat and use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) greater than 15 to protect yourself against sunburn.
• Never leave anyone, including pets, alone in a closed, parked vehicle. The air temperature inside a car rises rapidly during hot weather and can lead to brain damage or death.
• Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to a public place that does have air conditioning.
• Seek out the nearest facility that is air conditioned, such as a cooling shelter, a senior citizen center, a church, a mall, the local YMCA or a center designated by your community. Even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat. Fans alone will not effectively cool an overheated person when air temperatures are above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you must go outside:

• Slow down and avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the early morning or late evening hours when it is cooler.
• Take regular breaks when engaged in physical activity on warm days. Try to rest often in shady or cool areas. If you recognize that you, or someone else, are showing signs of a heat-related illness, stop activity and find a cool place.

Cooling Centers Available

Enter your zip code to find a cooling center within miles of your home.
Or visit the Illinois Department of Human Services website for a complete listing of cooling centers in Illinois.

Additional Links

• Extreme Temperature Preparedness - Ready Illinois
• Preparing for Heat Waves - American Red Cross
• Summer? No Sweat. A Summer Survival Guide - Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)

Lightning Safety Awareness Week in the State of Illinois is June 21 - 27, 2009. We have prepared a Lightning Safety Awareness Guide Book containing safety tips, facts about Lightning as well as best practices.

There are an estimated 25 million cloud-to-ground lightning flashes each year in the United States, nearly 650,000 of which occur in Illinois alone. Lightning can be fascinating to watch, but it is also extremely dangerous - it is the underrated killer. Few people really understand the dangers of lightning. Many people don't act promptly to protect their lives, property, and the lives of others. The first step in solving this potentially life threatening problem is through education.

IEMA, NWS Promote Lightning Safety Awareness with Simple Phrase: "When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors". Read full press release.

Illinois' campaign to encourage people to be prepared for disasters has a new TV spot thanks to the creative efforts of a high school junior from Springfield. Lanphier High School student Brittny Barger learned Tuesday afternoon that she submitted the winning entry in the "Ready Illinois High School Challenge" contest, and her script has already been produced as a 30-second TV spot. The contest was sponsored by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the Illinois Terrorism Task Force (ITTF), in cooperation with the Illinois Broadcasters Association (IBA).

View the winning video
Read the full Press Release

Public Service Announcements English(1) PSA English(2) PSA Español PSA

On June 12, 2009, all full-power broadcast TV stations in the United States will stop broadcasting on analog airwaves and begin broadcasting only in digital. Millions of Americans depend on TV as a source of information, including emergency alerts and warnings. However, following the transition, the FCC estimates up to 20 million individuals could be left without TV communications because they haven't taken the appropriate steps to transition. We encourage everyone to ensure they are ready for the transition and to take steps to help their families and neighbors -- especially older adults and homebound individuals.

The switch to digital will reward most viewers with better sound, a better picture, more channels, and more programs. The transition also will clear airwaves for better first-responder radio service and advanced mobile Internet services.

Visit www.dtv.gov for information on how to transition to digital TV.

Illinois' first-ever Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan (SCIP) was approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and has been officially accepted by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Illinois State Police, Illinois Terrorism Task Force, Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois Emergency Services Management Association, Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System, Mutual Aid Box Alarm System, and Chicago/Cook County Urban Area.

The plan identifies a statewide strategy that focuses on establishing a single platform so all public safety agencies can share emergency information. The development of the SCIP was a cooperative effort by a consortium of federal, state, and local public safety practitioners working through the Illinois Terrorism Task Force’s Communications Committee and the Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee. Annual reviews/updates to the SCIP will be conducted under the auspices of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.

The Illinois Terrorism Task Force has developed a training program for governmental and private sector employees on basic safety procedures to follow when faced with a suspicious piece of mail or a bomb. The program includes a threat checklist brochure, a sample action plan for dealing with suspicious packages, and a downloadable 30-minute media presentation with audio narrative. For more information, please visit the Terrorism page of the Ready Illinois website.

Being prepared for disasters and emergencies is important for everyone, but it can be even more critical for special needs individuals, who may rely on the assistance of others during an emergency. A new publication developed by a team of emergency management and health professionals addresses the unique preparedness considerations of individuals with functional needs and their caregivers. "Emergency Preparedness Tips for Those with Functional Needs" offers preparedness tips for people with visual, cognitive, or mobility impairments; citizens who are deaf or hard of hearing; those who utilize service animals or life support systems; and seniors. Please click here for more information.