Ask Mr. Answer Person: "How do you handle the heat when you work in a factory?"

Dear Mr. Answer Person:
"What can factory workers do to help them through the hot summer days when there's a heat advisory out?  It gets over 100 degrees in there, and they are only allowed so many breaks.  They can't just walk away from their fast paced machines and sit down for a break or fresh air.  A lot of people can't have a bottle of water or drinks near their machines. Any helpful advice?"

Mr. Answer Person says: I contacted the winneshiek county Public Health Department, which says factory workers really do need to have water available.  On their breaks, they need to make sure that they are taking in as much water as they can to maintain their hydration.

Here's the suggestion from the county Health Department--Talk to your employer about offering more frequent, but shorter breaks during heat waves to allow time for factory workers to take water breaks.

For the general public, here's the advice on keeping cool during a heat wave:

• NEVER leave a personor animal in a closed, parked vehicle.
• During extreme heat, stayindoors, preferably in an air-conditioned building. If air conditioning is notavailable in the building or home, try to spend a few hours a day in a libraryor shopping mall that is air-conditioned. Other ways to help stay cool includeusing an electric fan (if the temperature is in the high 90's, fans will notprevent heat related issues) and taking a cool shower or bath.
• Drink plenty of fluids, butavoid drinks with alcohol, caffeine or large amounts of sugar. Drink lots ofwater.
• For those who must be out inthe heat, limit activity to the morning and evening hours when it is cooler,drink plenty of fluids and stay in the shade when possible. Try to cut down onexercise if able.
• To protect from sun exposure, wear a hat anduse a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher.
• Check on elderlyneighbors, friends 1-2x/day if they have no air conditioning.