KING COUNTY -
Local health authorities say a third person has died from heat-related illnesses here in the northwest.
A spokesperson for Northwest Hospital says a 45-year-old Seattle man passed away at the hospital Thursday evening.
Doctors believe he had a significant number of health problems prior to being admitted but they do think the heat was a factor.
King County Health officials say a 66-year-old Seattle man was the first person to die because of the heat wave.
Heart disease was a contributing factor in the death Wednesday of Allen J. Paul.
A spokeswoman at The Compass Center in Seattle says Paul used their services and may have been homeless at some point. The Compass Center helps homeless and low income people throughout King County.
Also, a man in his mid 50s died Wednesday at St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma of a heat-related illness, according to a spokesman for the hospital. The Pierce County Medical Examiners office was still investigating the cause of the man's death on Thursday.
During the heat wave The Compass Center handed-out more water and increased their shelter hours to help people get out of the hot weather. Emergency Services Manager Kim Sather says, "Certainly it was not in our budget for the extra water and the extra hours, but we believe that it was important to the health of the people and the survival of the people that we serve to do all of those things." She says they're ready for extreme weather conditions with a heat plan and snow plan.
He was the hospital's only heat-related patient Wednesday, but five people were brought to the hospital because of the heat on Tuesday and three more on Thursday but nothing was life threatening.
King County health officer Dr. David Fleming says it's possible the state may see additional deaths before the heat wave ends.
"We know that heat puts additional stress on people with underlying chronic conditions, just like the flu and other infectious diseases," Fleming said. "People with underlying conditions like heart disease need to take it easy, and all of us need to check on frail family, friends and neighbors."
Officials urge people to check on frail family, friends and neighbors during the heat wave.
"Tips to stay healthy in the hot weather · Spend more time in air conditioned places. If you don't have air conditioning, consider visiting a library, mall, movie theater or other cool public places.
· Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun.
· Dress in lightweight clothing.
· Check up on your elderly neighbors and relatives.
· Drink plenty of water or non-alcoholic beverages.
· Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink.
· Limit your direct exposure to the sun.
· Do not leave infants, children, people with mobility challenges and pets in a parked car, even with the window rolled down.
· Avoid or reduce strenuous activity.
· Limit outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.
· Avoid sunburn. Use a sunscreen lotion with a high SPF (sun protection factor) rating.
For more information on dealing with the heat go to: http://www.tpchd.org/news.php?id=442 http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health.aspx
For more information on The Compass Center in Seattle go to: http://www.compasscenter.org/
A spokesperson for Northwest Hospital says a 45-year-old Seattle man passed away at the hospital Thursday evening.
Doctors believe he had a significant number of health problems prior to being admitted but they do think the heat was a factor.
King County Health officials say a 66-year-old Seattle man was the first person to die because of the heat wave.
Heart disease was a contributing factor in the death Wednesday of Allen J. Paul.
A spokeswoman at The Compass Center in Seattle says Paul used their services and may have been homeless at some point. The Compass Center helps homeless and low income people throughout King County.
Also, a man in his mid 50s died Wednesday at St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma of a heat-related illness, according to a spokesman for the hospital. The Pierce County Medical Examiners office was still investigating the cause of the man's death on Thursday.
During the heat wave The Compass Center handed-out more water and increased their shelter hours to help people get out of the hot weather. Emergency Services Manager Kim Sather says, "Certainly it was not in our budget for the extra water and the extra hours, but we believe that it was important to the health of the people and the survival of the people that we serve to do all of those things." She says they're ready for extreme weather conditions with a heat plan and snow plan.
He was the hospital's only heat-related patient Wednesday, but five people were brought to the hospital because of the heat on Tuesday and three more on Thursday but nothing was life threatening.
King County health officer Dr. David Fleming says it's possible the state may see additional deaths before the heat wave ends.
"We know that heat puts additional stress on people with underlying chronic conditions, just like the flu and other infectious diseases," Fleming said. "People with underlying conditions like heart disease need to take it easy, and all of us need to check on frail family, friends and neighbors."
Officials urge people to check on frail family, friends and neighbors during the heat wave.
"Tips to stay healthy in the hot weather · Spend more time in air conditioned places. If you don't have air conditioning, consider visiting a library, mall, movie theater or other cool public places.
· Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun.
· Dress in lightweight clothing.
· Check up on your elderly neighbors and relatives.
· Drink plenty of water or non-alcoholic beverages.
· Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink.
· Limit your direct exposure to the sun.
· Do not leave infants, children, people with mobility challenges and pets in a parked car, even with the window rolled down.
· Avoid or reduce strenuous activity.
· Limit outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.
· Avoid sunburn. Use a sunscreen lotion with a high SPF (sun protection factor) rating.
For more information on dealing with the heat go to: http://www.tpchd.org/news.php?id=442 http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health.aspx
For more information on The Compass Center in Seattle go to: http://www.compasscenter.org/
