FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 13, 2007
Second heat-related death reported in the metro area
The City of Kansas City, Mo., Health Department has been notified by the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office that heat exposure was a factor in the death of a 74-year-old man in the 2300 block of Vine Street. The victim had a history of cardiovascular disease.
The six categories of people at highest risk for heat-related illnesses or death are people with chronic medical conditions or who are disabled, the elderly, the economically disadvantaged, people taking certain medications including narcotics, sedatives and diuretics, toddlers left inside cars and infants.
Heat-related deaths can be prevented. The Health Department recommends checking on relatives, friends and neighbors who are in one of those high-risk categories once in the morning and once in the evening during extreme heat conditions. If you have any doubts about a person’s welfare, call 9-1-1.
Heat information can be found on the Health Department’s Web site, www.kcmo.org/health. For general information on heat signs and symptoms, call the 3-1-1 Action Center, at 3-1-1 or (816) 513-1313. For heat information and community resources, call the Health Department’s community partner United Way’s 211 line, at 2-1-1 or (816) 474-5112.
Media inquiries about this issue should be directed to Jeff Hershberger, Health Department, (816) 840-2548 (pager).
