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Hot weather returns, caution advised
By SUZETTE PORTER
Article published on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2007 |
PINELLAS COUNTY – Officials with the Florida Division of Emergency Management caution residents to use heat safety practices as heat indices are expected to be high for the coming week.
Sunday’s weather forecast showed that a sprawling ridge of high pressure was developing across the southeastern United States.
“Hot temperatures will return to the forecast next week with only isolated afternoon and evening thunderstorms for most of the state,” officials said. “Heat indices could climb into the 105-110 degree range by early next week. Although heat-related advisories have yet to be issued, excessive heat safety should be practiced next week.”
The heat index is the combined effect of high air temperature and high humidity. The higher the combination, the harder it is for the body to cool itself.
Officials urge people who must be outdoors to take precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke. Drink plenty of water, take frequent breaks, and check on the elderly as well as pets.
State emergency management officials offer the following heat-safety measures.
- Never leave children or pets in a parked car. The temperature can rise to 135 degrees in less than ten minutes, which can cause death to children or pets. If you see a child or pet left unattended in a parked car, you should call 911 and alert authorities.
- Slow down. Strenuous activities should be reduced, eliminated, or rescheduled to the coolest time of the day. Individuals at risk should stay in the coolest available place, not necessarily indoors.
- Dress for summer. Lightweight, light-colored clothing reflects heat and sunlight, and helps your body maintain normal temperatures.
- Drink plenty of water. Your body needs water to keep cool. Drink plenty of fluids even if you don't feel thirsty. Persons who have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease, are on fluid restrictive diets, or have a problem with fluid retention should consult a physician before increasing their consumption of fluids.
- Don’t drink alcoholic beverages.
- Don’t take salt tablets unless specified by a physician. Persons on salt restrictive diets should consult a physician before increasing their salt intake.
- Spend more time in air-conditioned places. Air conditioning in homes and other buildings markedly reduces danger from the heat. If you cannot afford an air conditioner, spending some time each day (during hot weather) in an air conditioned environment affords some protection.
- Don't get too much sun. Sunburn makes the job of heat dissipation that much more difficult.
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Article published on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2007
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