CRESTVIEW — The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County reminds county residents and visitors to be aware of the warning signs of heat exhaustion and to protect against dehydration.

Heat exhaustion can develop after exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids.

Those most prone to heat exhaustion are elderly people, people with high blood pressure, and people working or exercising in a hot environment. If you work outdoors, it is critical you remain aware of the heat index and take appropriate precautions to stay healthy and safe.

DOH-Okaloosa recommends the following tips to avoid heat exhaustion and dehydration:

•Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water when outdoors, especially in the summer heat. Be mindful of the signs of dehydration, which include dry mouth, dizziness, lack of sweating, dry skin, low blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, and fatigue. Your body needs water to keep cool. Drink plenty of fluids, even if you don't feel thirsty.

•Dress for summer: Lightweight, light-colored clothing reflects heat and sunlight, and helps your body maintain normal temperatures.

•Never leave children or pets in a parked car: The temperature can rise to 135 degrees Fahrenheit (135°F) in less than 10 minutes, which can be fatal for children or pets. If you see a child or pet left unattended in a parked car, call 9-1-1 and alert authorities.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa officials remind residents and visitors to stay healthy when temperatures rise

CRESTVIEW — Sacred Heart Medical Group Crestview Pediatrics is officially open for business, accepting new patients and same-day appointments at its 332 Medcrest Drive office.

Pediatricians hosted a ribbon-cutting and open-house reception on Thursday.

Crestview Pediatrics, which includes Dr. Joseph Peter and advanced nurse practitioner Lindsey Mann-Badyrka, recently joined Sacred Heart Medical Group’s regional network of physicians.

Two new pediatricians —  Dr. Jennifer Heegard and Dr. Lisa Currier —  have also joined the practice.

Peter has more than 25 years of pediatrics experience, spanning nearly three continents. He has served the Crestview community since 1998.

Mann-Badyrka is a nurse practitioner with experience working in intensive care and cardiovascular surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Heegard is a board-certified pediatrician who practiced in San Antonio, Texas, and worked in the pediatric emergency room at the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio.

Currier is a board-certified pediatrician who has served as chair of pediatrics and a member of the medical executive committee at Vail Valley Medical Center in Colorado.

Call 683-5100 for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Pediatrics, Sacred Heart Medical Group celebrate partnership

CRESTVIEW — North Okaloosa Medical Center's Healthy Woman dinner next month will focus on how humor leads to success.

Guest speaker and humorist Jeanne Robertson will "illustrate that a sense of humor is much more than a laughing matter; it is a strategy for success, allowing you to be fit, fierce and fabulous at any age," an event media release states.

The dinner is 6-8:30 p.m. Aug. 4 at the Crestview Community Center, 1446 Commerce Drive, Crestview. Cost is $30 per person, and beverages will be available.

Register at http://conta.cc/1D3wTgC.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Healthy Woman dinner at Crestview Community Center to feature humorist

CRESTVIEW — Sacred Heart Medical Group Pediatrics in Crestview will host an open-house reception 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, July 16 at 332 Medcrest Drive in Crestview. Lunch will be provided.

The office — which includes Dr. Joseph Peter and advanced nurse practitioner Lindsey Mann-Badyrka — recently joined Sacred Heart Medical Group’s regional network. Two pediatricians — Dr. Jennifer Heegard and Dr. Lisa Currier — have also joined the practice.

Peter has more than 25 years' pediatrics experience, spanning nearly three continents. He has served the Crestview community since 1998 and is known for his community service, particularly annual mission trips to Belize.

•Lindsey Mann-Badyrka is a nurse practitioner with experience working in intensive care and cardiovascular surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

•Jennifer Heegard is a board-certified pediatrician who previously practiced in San Antonio, Texas, and worked in the pediatric emergency room at the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio.

•Lisa Currier is a board-certified pediatrician who has served as chair of pediatrics and a member of the medical executive committee at Vail Valley Medical Center in Colorado.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview pediatrics office sets open house

CRESTVIEW — The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County is cautioning the public to make sure their family is safe this Fourth of July weekend.

Fourth of July is synonymous with barbecues, parades and fireworks displays, but along with all the festivities are plenty of visits to emergency rooms.

In 2013, eight people died and about 11,400 were injured badly enough to require medical treatment after fireworks-related incidents, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. While the majority of these incidents were due to amateurs attempting to use professional-grade, homemade or other illegal fireworks or explosives, 40 percent were from legal, less powerful devices.

Fireworks also are responsible for thousands of home fires each year. The National Fire Protection Association reports that in 2011, fireworks caused about 1,200 structure fires.

DOH-Okaloosa recommends enjoying fireworks at a public display conducted by seasoned professionals and reminds everyone to be responsible when using legal fireworks.

What fireworks are legal in Florida?

The only fireworks legal for use by consumers who don't possess a special permit in Florida are those that fall into the category known as "sparklers." Those include items such as sparklers, fountains, snakes, and glow worms. Florida law prohibits the recreational use of any fireworks that fly through the air or explode, such as Roman candles, bottle rockets and mortars.

Sparklers

Every year, young children can be found along parade routes and at festivals with sparklers in hand, but they are a lot more dangerous than most people think. Parents don't realize they burn at about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals. Sparklers can quickly ignite clothing, and many children have received severe burns from dropping sparklers on their feet.

The National Safety Council provides these fireworks safety tips:

•Never allow young children to handle fireworks.

•Older children should use them only under close adult supervision.

•Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear.

•Never light them indoors.

•Only use them away from people, houses and flammable material.

•Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting.

•Never ignite devices in a container.

•Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks.

•Soak unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding.

•Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don't go off or in case of fire.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: State health department in Okaloosa cautions about dangers of fireworks