CHP reminds public on precautions against heat stroke during very hot weather
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (April 15) 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.
FEHD combats unlicensed hawkers selling cooked food
A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (March 23) that the department has carried out a series of blitz operations across the territory over the past weekend, targeting unlicensed hawkers selling cooked food, with particular focus on crowded areas such as locations where foreign domestic helpers gather. During the operations, FEHD officers arrested four foreign nationals in Central/Western District, Wan Chai District, and Mong Kok District for suspected illegal hawking and causing obstruction in public places. A total of seven prosecutions were initiated. As it is suspected that the individuals involved have also contravened the Immigration Ordinance, the cases have been referred to the Immigration Department for follow-up.
The spokesman said that about 150 kilograms of food items, including desserts, grilled fish, fried snacks, lunch boxes, sauces and instant beverages, were seized during the operations. To safeguard food safety and maintain environmental hygiene, the FEHD will continue to adopt an intelligence-led approach, deploying flexible enforcement strategies, stepping up inspections at high-risk locations, and conducting blitz operations. FEHD officers also distributed leaflets to foreign domestic helpers, reminding them not to engage in unlicensed hawking and explaining the relevant laws and consequences of violations.
The FEHD has long adopted a balanced approach in handling the issue of unlicensed hawkers. However, if the sale of cooked food, food from unknown sources, expired items, or food that is prohibited or restricted for sale is involved, the department will take stringent enforcement actions, including immediate arrests without prior warning, to safeguard food safety and public health. In the first two months of this year, the FEHD initiated 28 prosecutions against such violations and seized over 240 kg of food items in question.
According to the relevant ordinances, unlicensed hawking is subject to a maximum fine of $10,000 and six months' imprisonment. If unlicensed hawking activities also cause obstruction of passageways, offenders may be fined $25,000 or imprisoned for three months. In addition, any person who sells restricted food (including frozen meat, sashimi and sushi) without permission or sells expired food commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment upon conviction.
The FEHD urges members of the public not to patronise food from unknown sources or illegal street hawkers. The public may report hawkers selling suspicious food to the FEHD. Immediate follow-up actions will be taken.
The FEHD reaffirmed its commitment to relentlessly curbing unlicensed hawking activities, particularly when it involves food sales, and called on the public to work together to safeguard food safety and environmental hygiene.
FEHD combats unlicensed hawkers selling cooked food Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD combats unlicensed hawkers selling cooked food Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
