St. Louis County reports first heat-related death this summer

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – Public health officials in St. Louis County have confirmed that a man died last week in the first heat-related death this summer.

A medical examiner stated in a release that a man in his 50s from west St. Louis County died due to extreme heat.

FOX 2 meteorologists confirm the high that day was 97, followed by a record-breaking high of 103 on June 25. With extreme heat expected to continue through the summer, health officials are warning people not to let their guard down.

Dr. Farzana Hoque, a hospitalist who treats adult patients at SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital, says heat-related symptoms can turn deadly if they are not addressed in a timely manner.

“I would advise all of us to take heat-related illness, particularly heat stroke, very seriously,” Hoque said.

Hoque says common side effects of heat-related illnesses include dizziness, weakness, and vomiting. She says they’ve already seen multiple patients this summer for heat-related symptoms, including an elderly woman who was just discharged on Wednesday.

“Their cooling system at home was not working, and moreover, they are elderly and maybe not mindful about hydration,” Hoque explained. “It’s important to remember: dehydration is one of the key contributing factors of heat-related illness.”

The extreme heat is expected to continue throughout the summer. When the temperature rises above 95 degrees, the St. Louis County Department of Public Health recommends the following:

• Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Spend as little time as possible in the sun and keep activity levels to a minimum.
• Drink plenty of cool, non-alcoholic beverages, especially those without sugar or
  caffeine.
• Certain demographics should also increase their water intake and electrolyte
  replacement, including pregnant people, unhoused, and people with substance use
  disorder.
• Take regular breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned room.
• Eat light, easily digested foods and avoid hot, heavy, or greasy meals.
• Be sure not to leave food unrefrigerated for long, as food spoils rapidly in the heat.
• Take care of those who might not be aware of the danger or able to react
  accordingly—especially young children and the elderly. Check on your neighbors
  and relatives if they may be vulnerable or do not have air conditioning.
• Do not leave children or anyone else unattended in a hot vehicle. Internal vehicle
  temperatures can reach 150 degrees.
• Know the signs of heat exhaustion. If someone becomes dizzy, nauseated, or
  sweats heavily, find a cooler location for them immediately.
• Know the signs of heat stroke. Heat stroke is much more serious than heat
  exhaustion. The symptoms are similar to heat exhaustion, but sweating normally
  stops and the person may have hot, flushed skin. If heat stroke is a possibility, call
  911 immediately. Heat stroke is life-threatening.

Residents are also advised to protect their pets whenever the temperature rises. Here are some tips that can keep pets safe during the hot weather:

• Make sure pets have ample drinking water and check regularly to make sure it
  is clean and fresh. Adjust the amount of water for the size and number of pets
  in the area. You can also spray your pet with water to help cool them off.
• Provide shade for pets when they are outside. A pen near trees will work or you
  can fasten a sunroom screen to the sides and top of the pen to provide shade.
• Never leave your pet unattended in a hot vehicle.

If your air conditioning system is not working, there are cooling centers readily available across the St. Louis area, such as The Salvation Army’s Family Haven location off Page Avenue, or call the United Way of Greater St. Louis at 1-800-427-4626 or dial 211.

For more information and resources on how to prevent heat-related illness, visit the CDC Extreme Heat webpage here .

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