In the midst of summer in Brown County, heat is something on everyone’s minds, but some may not realize the dangers associated with this type of weather. Heat is the number one weather related killer in the US every year. On average heat claims more lives each year than floods, lightning, tornadoes and hurricanes combined.
When the body heats too quickly to cool itself safely, or it starts to lose too much fluid or salt from sweating, heat related illnesses can likely occur. Dangers of heat include heat stroke, sunburn, hyperthermia, and heat exhaustion. As a person increases in age, their susceptibility to health risks from heat increase.
The National Weather Service recommends these tips during a heat wave:
-Slow down, reduce, and reschedule strenuous activities outside to the coolest time of day. Children, seniors, and people with health problems should stay in the coolest place available during the hottest times of day.
-Dress for summer- wear light colored, lightweight clothing to reflect heat and sunlight.
-Drink water, even if you do not feel thirsty. The body needs water to keep cool. Do not drink alcoholic beverages, and keep caffeinated drinks to a minimum.
-Don’t get too much sun; sunburn reduces your body’s ability to dissipate heat.
Adults, children, and pets are at great risk for hyperthermia while in parked cars. This has accounted for a large number of heat related deaths in recent years. The temperature in a parked car can increase extremely fast. In a demonstration done by the National Weather Service, a car was parked in direct sunlight in 80 degree weather. In less than 3 minutes that car was at a temperature of 94.3 degrees. The NWS wants to let the public know that even on a mild day, there are still great dangers of being enclosed in a parked car.
To help reduce the number of deaths, the National Weather Service is trying to raise awareness about heat dangers. ‘Beat the Heat, Check the Backseat’ is the newest slogan from the National Weather Service. An alarming number of child deaths occur every year due to being left in a parked car for hours. Some occur after a parent forgets the child and goes to work. Others occur after leaving a child for only a short time even with the windows left partially down.
Some ways to help reduce the risk of this potentially tragic situation with your own family are:
-Leave your purse, briefcase or other important item in the backseat with the child, to reduce the potential to forget the child.
-Always lock car doors and trunks, even while at home.
-Always make sure everyone gets out of the car, never leave a sleeping infant in a car.
To learn more, find ‘Beat the Heat, Check the Backseat’ on Facebook.
Information provided by the National Weather Service