GRIC’s OEM shares Heat and Monsoon Safety Tips
Joseph Morales
GRIN Intern
The summer season is here, and with it comes the heat and monsoons. There are plenty of things that you can do for yourself and your home to prepare for the summer.
On April 2, The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) held a monsoon meeting for this summer season, which shared tons of information on being prepared in the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC). OEM shared public health concerns with the extreme heat that can cause muscle cramps and dehydration to more severe problems like heatstroke or sudden heart attacks.
Heat in the summer of 2023 had 54 days at 110 degrees or higher and 15 days at 115 degrees and higher. That summer even set a record of 31 straight days of 110 degrees. However, all issues and concerns can be avoided by staying hydrated and being prepared.
According to OEM, District Service Center cooling stations will be active during the summer season and will operate for extended hours if the temperature is 110 degrees or higher. The buildings can provide a place to rest from the harsh elements during the day and provide hydration, and medical attention if needed. Contact your District Service Center for more information.
When outside, it is important to drink plenty of water to keep the body hydrated and wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing. Light foods with high water content, such as strawberries and watermelon, also benefit the body in severe heat.
Signs of heat exhaustion include dizziness, thirst, heavy sweating, nausea, and weakness. In the event of this, move to a cooler area, preferably an air-conditioned room, drink cool water, loosen your clothing, and apply a cool, wet cloth or sit in a cool bath. Seek medical attention if vomitting occurs or if symptoms last longer than an hour.
Heat exhaustion can lead to a heat stroke, which also includes throbbing headache, confusion, dizziness, nausea, hot, red, dry, or damp skin, rapid and strong pulse, fainting, and unconsciousness.
Be aware of the signs of dehydration, as they may differ by age. Infants and young children may experience dry mouth, sunken eyes and cheeks, no tears when crying, listlessness, and irritability. Adults may experience extreme thirst, fatigue, dizziness, confusion, less frequent urination as well as dark-colored urine. Seek medical attention if you or someone else becomes disoriented and much sleepier with less activity or has trouble keeping fluids down.
Monsoon Season:
Summer brings along the monsoon season, and during last year’s season, OEM reported that 25 homes were damaged in District 5 due to high winds and flooding.
Community members should always prepare. Keep supplies on hand such as water, food, radio, flashlight, first aid kit, batteries, tools, medications and other items that can be vital in the event of a shelter in place situation. Also, monitor the Community’s social media outlets such as Facebook and Instagram for updates on power outages, shelter locations and other critical information the Community needs in the event of an emergency. GRIC also provides critical information through text messages. To sign up for alerts, text “GRIC” to (520) 485-5040.
The OEM department stores over 4,000 filled sandbags for Community members to reduce damages to residential homes in the event of monsoon storms and prevent flooding. OEM continues to prepare their emergency equipment for response and recovery efforts.
In addition, after a storm, it is very important to conduct an assessment in and around your home checking for severe damages to drywall, roof, AC, windows etc. Contact you District Service Center and report all storm damages.
It is essential to conduct preventive measures on your home. Regularly changing air filters, keeping blinds shut, and working the A/C all help to keep a home cool. Other helpful tips include focusing on cooling one or two rooms rather than the entire house. During the evening, fans, along with light bedding options, can help make sleeping more comfortable and less hot.
The summer can bring many challenges, so it is crucial to be prepared and aware of the available resources. The Gila River Indian Community Office of Emergency Management is one of many departments that can help prepare you for the upcoming summer and monsoon season. For more information, contact OEM at (520) 796-3755.
Additional resources can be found on their website, which offers tons of safety tips and information on the summer season: https://www.gricready.org/index.php/emergency-management.