To say it’s warm outside is an understatement.
July is typically the hottest month of the year and as we head into the second week temperatures are expected to be in excess of 100 degrees over the next three days.
The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a heat advisory from noon today until 8:00 pm on Tuesday, July 11th. A Heat Advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible. Heat indices will be between 103 and 107 degrees both today and tomorrow.
Charles Martinez, Geary County Community Health Planner, said there are different levels to heat-related illness.
“Usually the person will experience headaches, nausea, vomiting – and heat stroke that’s the last step in it, and when that happens it’s a medical emergency,” said Martinez.
EMedicine Health defines the difference between heat exhaustion and a heat stroke:
- Heat exhaustion often occurs when people work or play in a hot, humid environment and body fluids are lost through sweating, which causes the body to overheat and become dehydrated.
- Heat stroke is a life-threatening medical condition. It usually develops because of untreated heat exhaustion. The body’s cooling system, which is controlled by the brain, stops working and the internal body temperature rises to the point at which brain damage or damage to other internal organs may result.
Martinez suggests staying inside as much as possible during the heat wave as well as drinking plenty of water. “Gatorade is good if they’re working out and very active, but water is the best thing to go with.”
Garry Berges, Geary County Emergency Management Director, said that there is an increased fire risk in extreme heat conditions.
“Stuff will dry out a lot faster,” said Berges. “We’ve got to look at it for our firefighters, if we get a fire call we’ll probably page for more personnel to respond just because they get overheated a lot faster; we’ll make sure we keep them hydrated.”
Berges noted that there are no shelters open due to the heat, but the library and other public places like shopping centers are good spots to cool off during the day if you don’t have air conditioning.
The National Weather Service has also issued these additional tips in lieu of the extreme heat:
- Drink plenty of fluids…stay in an air-conditioned room…stay out of the sun…and check up on relatives and neighbors.
- Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible…reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and
heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water. - To reduce risk during outdoor work…the occupational safety and health administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency…call 9 1 1.
The heat advisory affects Geary, Dickinson, Clay, Riley and Pottawatomie counties in our immediate area.
For more information contact the Geary County Health Department at 762-5788. For emergencies dial 911.
*feature photo courtesy The Lakewood Pulse