By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The short distance from the car to an air conditioned office or home may be the most some Wood County residents have to withstand the withering temperatures the next couple days.
But some people don’t have the luxury of air conditioned workplaces.
Take Josh Dorfmeyer, who was working on a Bowling Green yard as a lawn technician for LandArt on Thursday.
“It looks like today and tomorrow are going to be pretty nasty,” he said after finishing on one yard.
But Dorfmeyer is a pro at working through the heat.
“I’ve been doing this for 20 years. These aren’t my first 100 degree days,” he said.
Dorfmeyer has a routine for handling heat waves. First, hydrate with a combination of water and Gatorade Zero. Second, eat protein bars to replenish the protein his body burns off in the heat.
And third, take a few minutes in between jobs to cool down in his air conditioned truck.
“That’s crucial,” he said. “You have to recuperate, and not be out for an extended period.”
It also helps that Dorfmeyer’s boss takes some pity on the workers on extremely hot days.
“When it gets super hot, he lets us go a little early,” he said.
On another street in Bowling Green on Thursday afternoon, Mike Larrow, a city carrier for the U.S. Post Office, was in the middle of walking his route.
“Everybody takes the heat differently,” Larrow said. “I just do through it.”
Larrow makes sure to wear light weight and light colored clothing, and of course, stay hydrated.
He is fortunate in that he uses a van equipped with air conditioning on his route. So when he finishes walking one street, he can drive to the next.
Not all mail carriers are as lucky, Larrow said. Those driving the “tin cans” have no air conditioning, but just little fans to move around the hot air.
One street over, city workers were replacing a sidewalk.
Public works employee Phil Weilnau had sweat dripping down his face.
“I sweat a lot,” he said. “I like to sweat.”
Setting up the string for a straight sidewalk were Rod West and Brandon Weilnau.
“It doesn’t really bother me,” West said. “We just take breaks and drink water.”
How much water?
“I go over a gallon probably,” Brandon Weilnau said.
Meanwhile on the far west side of the city, Sundae Station is getting ready for the heat wave. Owner Shaun Crusa was stocking up on water bottles so he could hand them out for free to anyone ordering food on Friday and Saturday.
“We want to keep people hydrating,” he said.
Though some think extreme heat draws extreme crowds to the ice cream business, that is not always the case, Crusa said. Temperatures between 75 and 85 degrees are actually the ideal weather for ice cream sales.
“Honestly, when it gets to be 95 to 100, people just don’t want to be outside,” he said. “I don’t blame people. Nobody wants to stand in line and sit at a picnic table in sweltering weather.”
Drive-thru traffic, with their air conditioner pumping, will likely remain steady, and as the day comes to a close, people may emerge from their homes for a cone or cup of ice cream.
“Evenings will be busy when it starts to cool down,” Crusa said.
Temperatures during the day on Friday and Saturday are expected to reach dangerous heights, according to Wood County Emergency Management Agency.
This region of Ohio is under an “Excessive Heat Warning,” unlike one seen in the last seven years. All of Wood, portions of Erie, Lucas, Ottawa and Sandusky counties will have the potential for a heat index of 110. The heat is expected to last into the evening on Saturday when rain and potential storms move into the area.
“This will not be just a hot day, it is truly dangerously hot for anyone and everyone should limit their exposure to the heat,” the EMA stated in a press release. “Anyone outside needs to remain hydrated, drinking water before going out and while outside. It is too late to start drinking water once symptoms set in.”
Local residents are encouraged to check on children and seniors during this “Excessive Heat Warning,” since these age groups may not realize they are experiencing medical emergencies due to the heat.
The Wood County Committee on Aging Inc. will have extended hours at the Wood County Senior Center, 305 N. Main St., in Bowling Green on Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the expected high heat and humidity.
Additional hours are scheduled for Friday, until 8 p.m., and all day Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with meals provided (for donation) each day at noon and 5:30 p.m., at the center.
This service is targeted to the older adults, over 60, and those who might not have adequate cooling in their homes. Those in need of relief from the heat are encouraged to drop in. Games, movies, books and newspapers will be available.
The Ohio Department of Aging and the Ohio Department of Health are reminding residents that extreme heat should be treated with the same care and preparation as a summer storm.
To stay cool during extremely hot days, the departments recommend:
· Drink plenty of cool, non-alcoholic beverages (avoid extremely cold liquids and beverages with high levels of sugar or caffeine);
· Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing and rest frequently;
· Plan outdoor activities for cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or late evening;
· Take cool baths or showers; and
· Seek an air-conditioned environment, such as a store, restaurant, public library, or a family member’s or neighbor’s home, if the indoor temperature in your home is higher than is comfortable.
Bowling Green residents are being asked to voluntarily lower electricity usage during the peak period from 2 to 6 p.m. over the course of the next couple days when extreme high temperatures have been forecasted.
During this “Community Energy Savings Day,” residents can help by using less energy between the hours of 2 and 6 p.m. If residents use less energy during these times of peak demand, the city can spread demand more evenly on the network, reduce the cost of providing energy and reduce the amount of greenhouse gases generated.
Residents can take conservation steps such as: shutting off lights when not needed; unplugging small appliances and electric chargers (especially those with small lights); raising the air conditioner thermostat a degree or two; closing curtains, drapes and blinds; doing laundry and other household chores requiring electricity during hours other than 2 to 6 p.m.; and turning off televisions, computers, gaming consoles, and other electronic devices when not being used.
