The Severe Weather Awareness Week Topic for Friday is Extreme Heat with Chief of the Crookston Fire Department Shane Heldstab. Heldstab began Friday’s topic with tips relating to avoiding extreme heat.
“When temps rise, get inside,” said Heldstab, “You want to make sure you stay hydrated. Don’t leave anyone or any animal in a closed vehicle, even when it’s running. Check on loved ones and neighbors; elderly people can be vulnerable to the heat. If you have neighbors, reach out and check on them. When you’re out working, make sure to take a rest, cool down, and protect yourself from the sun any way you can.”
You are also advised to wear light clothing when extreme heat is present. The recommended clothing includes hats with brims and loose-fitting clothing. Therefore, when there is a breeze, the clothing allows the air to filter through and give your body the cooldown it needs.
Some side effects from experiencing extreme heat include exhaustion, mild headaches, lightheadedness, cool pale skin, nausea, muscle cramps, and weakness. These side effects get significantly worse when an individual experiences heat stroke. Heat stroke side effects include throbbing headaches, confusion, irritability, and loss of consciousness. “Your body will have an internal temperature of 104,” said Heldstab, “You’ll have hot skin and once again have nausea. If you can move to a cooler place, cool down with ice and cold water, lie down and relax, and you want to make sure you’re staying hydrated,”
It is essential to drink plenty of fluids and stay hydrated during conditions such as extreme heat. The best thing to drink is water in these situations. Sports drinks such as Gatorade and Powerade contain large amounts of sugar, which tends to dehydrate rather than hydrate. Avoid drinking alcohol and products that contain high amounts of sodium and sugar. If the drinks are too cold, they can also cause stomach cramps.
For those who enjoy outdoor activities and exercise, The Crookston Fire Department encourages individuals to do so outside from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. because those tend to be the hottest hours of the day. Heldstab explains that it is crucial to stay informed during extreme weather situations and to use convenient devices such as smartphones. “Just stay informed; everybody has phones,” said Heldstab, “Listen to your local news station. If there are heat warnings, they will be among the first to broadcast them. Make sure you take some of these advice tips and put them into action, and if it ends up being a scorching day and you have things that need to get done, take your time with them. Make sure you stay cool and hydrated.”
