Stay safe in the sun: public urged to take precautions against heat stroke and sunburn during very hot weather, health officials warn
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (June 28) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.
"The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities," a spokesman for the CHP said.
"Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system," the spokesman explained.
"Infants and children, the elderly, pregnant women, those with chronic illnesses such as heart disease or high blood pressure, outdoor/manual workers, and individuals who are overweight are more vulnerable to heat stroke. They should pay special attention," the spokesman added.
The public should adopt the following precautions:
Wear loose and light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;
Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities like hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion can place additional demands on the physique;
Perform outdoor activities in the morning or the late afternoon, if possible;
For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation;
Do not stay inside a parked vehicle; and
Reschedule work to cooler times of the day if feasible. If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable. Start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Move to a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.
The public should also note the latest and the forecast Ultraviolet (UV) Index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV Index is high (6 or above):
Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;
Wear long-sleeved and loose-fitting clothes;
Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella;
Seek a shaded area or put on UV-blocking sunglasses;
Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 15, preferably higher. Reapply every two hours if you stay out in the sun, and after swimming, sweating or towelling off; and
While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent.
If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.
The public may obtain more information from the DH's Health Education Infoline (2833 0111),heat strokepage andUV radiationpage; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200),latestweather report and forecast,UV Indexand weather information forhiking and mountaineering; andpress releasesof the Labour Departmenton precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force.
Source: AI-generated images
Murder and attempted suicide case unfolds in tseung kwan o: man dies, woman arrested as police investigate tragic incident
Police are investigating a murder and attempted suicide case happened in Tseung Kwan O yesterday (June 29) in which a man died.
At 11.50pm, Police received a report saying that a 32-year-old woman allegedly attacked her 30-year-old husband with a knife inside a flat on Lohas Park Road, and attempted to commit suicide.
Police officers sped to the scene and found a man lying on the sofa. Sustaining serious injury on neck, he was rushed to Tseung Kwan O Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 0.31am today (June 30). Police also located a woman at scene at the same time.
After initial investigation, Police arrested the woman for murder today. Sustaining no superficial injuries, she was sent to Tseung Kwan O Hospital in conscious state. She is being detained for enquiries.
A fruit knife which was in suspected connection with the case was seized at scene. Post-mortem examinations will be conducted later to ascertain the cause of death.
Investigation by the District Crime Squad of Tseung Kwan O District is underway.
Source: AI-generated images
