The Wood County Emergency Management Agency has issued the following advisory:
By Tuesday, almost all of Ohio and much of our surrounding states will be under an extreme heat risk. As of today (Monday, June 17), this is expected to continue through at least Friday and potentially into next week.
Why is this weather pattern getting so much attention? Simply, because it is dangerous and most of us do not realize the gravity of the hazard.
High heat and humidity make it harder for sweat to evaporate from the surface of our body (our natural mechanism to cool down) and may cause us to overheat. As heat related illness progress, one symptom can be confusion. If confused, you may not recognize you are in trouble, and this could progress to heat stroke (which in many cases can be fatal).
Key points:
- Stay in air-conditioning, in the shade as much as possible, use fans, avoid heat, and avoid direct sunlight.
- Take regular breaks.
- Wear light colored clothing.
- Proactively stay hydrated by drinking water and consider the use of electrolyte supplements if you need to be outside.
- CDC recommends 8-10 glasses of water per day to stay hydrated, but you may need up to 3-liters on a hot day. Always consider your unique needs and ask your physician what they recommend for you.
- Apply sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) every two hours.
- Do not forget about your pets and their need to stay cool and hydrated. Also, if they need to be out and walking on concrete or asphalt consider coverings on their feet as the surface temperature can be more than 120 degrees. Otherwise, stick to grassy areas and surfaces that don’t get as hot.
- Check in on other people: family, co-workers, neighbors, etc.. They may not know if they are overheated and may need you to help.
- If bringing someone inside from a hot environment to cool them, try do it slowly to prevent shivering. Shivering is the bodies way to warm itself and can make their condition even worse.
