Heat can kill. That’s why Wisconsin Emergency Management and the National Weather Service are reminding people of the dangers associated with extreme heat and to promote safety measures.
In 2011, excessive heat claimed five lives and injured more than 100 people in Wisconsin during the July 17-21 heat wave.
Most of those victims did not have hvac appliances like air conditioning.
The combination of the warm temperatures and high humidity caused the heat index to rise between 100 and 117 degrees over much of the state prompting many communities to open cooling centers.
In 1995, two major killer heat waves affected most of Wisconsin resulting in 154 heat-related deaths and over 300 heat-related illnesses.
Summer heat waves have been the biggest weather-related killers in Wisconsin for the past 50 years, far exceeding tornadoes, severe storms and floods combined.
Heat is the number one weather-related killer in the United States.
Here are some tips to keep safe in hot weather:
• Never leave children, disabled persons, or pets in a parked car – even briefly.
Temperatures in a car can become life threatening within minutes. On an 80-degree day with sunshine, the temperature inside a car even with the windows cracked slightly can rise 20 to 30 degrees above the outside temperature in 10 to 20 minutes.
There have been cases where the inside temperature rose 40 degrees.
• Keep your living space cool.
The use of an air conditioner in the summer may prevent dehydration and heatstroke. Get your air conditioners ready for the summer by making an appointment with companies similar to Alaskan AC & Heating in your area. If you don’t have an air conditioner, open windows to let air circulate. Also, cover the windows to keep the sun from shining in. It is important to note that getting something like High Temperature Heat Pumps to help heat and cool your home as and when it is needed might also be worth the investment. When it’s hotter than 95 degrees use fans to blow hot air out of the window rather than to blow hot air on your body. Basements or ground floors are often cooler than upper floors.
Also, keep an eye on the condition of your air conditioner to see if it’s working properly. Your air conditioner is in charge of cooling and dehumidifying your home. So, if it’s humid outside and you notice water pooling in your yard around the condensate drain, don’t be alarmed. It simply means that your air conditioner is working hard to dehumidify your home. Well! If this is not the case, have it checked right away. In addition, humid air in your home serves as a breeding ground for toxic black mold spores. As a result, if your air conditioner hasn’t been working properly for a while, you should consider purchasing a toxic mold test kit for your home. The reason is, mold requires water, food, and oxygen to grow. It also requires a temperature at which it can survive. While mold cannot spread in the absence of these conditions, its spores may remain dormant until the conditions are favorable. According to current research, exposure to black mold is no more dangerous than exposure to any other type of mold. As a result, it’s best to get rid of them as soon as possible and keep an eye out for conditions that don’t allow them to breed in your home.
• Slow down and limit physical activity.
Plan outings or exertion for the early morning or after dark when temperatures are cooler.
• Drink plenty of water and eat lightly.
Don’t wait for thirst, but instead drink plenty of water throughout the day. Avoid alcohol or caffeine and stay away from hot, heavy meals.
• Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing.
Add a hat or umbrella to keep your head cool, and don’t forget sunscreen.
• Don’t stop taking medication unless your doctor says you should.
Take extra care to stay cool and ask your doctor or pharmacist for any special heat advice.
• Taking a cool shower or bath will cool you down.
A shower or bath will actually work faster than an air conditioner. Applying cold wet rags to the neck, head and limbs also cools down the body quickly.
People at higher risk of a heat-related illness include:
• Older adults
• Infants and young children
• People with chronic heart or lung problems
• People with disabilities
• Overweight persons
• Those who work outdoors or in hot settings
• Users of some medications, especially those taken for mental disorders, movement disorder, allergies, depression and heart or circulatory problems
• People who are isolated that don’t know when or how to cool off – or when to call for help.
Symptoms of heat-related illness and what to do:
• Heat Cramps – cramps or muscle spasms in the abdomen, arms or legs.
Solution: Stop activity. Cool down, drink clear juice or sports drink.
• Heat Exhaustion – heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, fainting.
Solution: Cool down, seek medical attention.
• Heat Stroke – extremely high body temperature, red, hot, dry skin, rapid pulse, throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, unconsciousness.
Solution: Call 911 and cool the victim with shower or hose until help arrives.
For more information, visit http://readywisconsin.wi.gov and click on the Heat Awareness section.