Excessive heat warning through Saturday (Audio included)

People are strongly urged not to overdo it during the wave of extreme heat in the upcoming days. With temperatures expected to be in the 90’s through Saturday, Ohio emergency management officials are urging people to stay out of the sun if possible and drink plenty of fluids. People who must be outside are urged to take the following precautions.

Drink Cool Fluids

• Increase your water intake. Don’t wait until you are thirsty before you start drinking water.
• Do not take salt tablets without a physician’s advice.
• Avoid beverages that contain alcohol or caffeine, because they can add to dehydration and increase the effects of heat illnesses.

Monitor or Limit Outdoor Activities

• Young children may become preoccupied with outdoor play and not realize they are overheated. Adults should mandate frequent breaks and bring children indoors to cool down and have cool drinks.
• Children or adolescents involved in team sports should be closely monitored for signs of heat stress. Consideration should be given to modifying practice or games during the hottest parts of the day.

Know How to Treat Heat Exhaustion

• Symptoms of heat exhaustion include: heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or fainting.
• People experiencing these symptoms should be moved to a shady or air-conditioned area. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet clothes or towels.
• Have person sip on a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. If the person refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness, call 911 or the local emergency number.

Know How to Treat Heat Stroke

• Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation. Call 911 immediately. Symptoms include: a body temperature of 103 degrees or higher, red, hot and dry skin with no sweating, rapid pulse, headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, unconsciousness, and gray skin color.
• Before medical help arrives, begin cooling the person by any means possible, such as spraying person with water from a garden hose or by placing the person in a cool tub of water.

NEVER Leave Children or Pets in Vehicles

• Even in cool temperatures, cars can heat up to dangerous temperatures quickly. Even if the windows are cracked open, interior temperatures can rise almost 20 degrees within the first 10 minutes.
• Children or animals left inside a vehicle are at risk for serious heat-related illnesses or even death.
• When traveling with children (even routine drives), remember to do the following.
  • To remind yourself that a child is in the car, place bags, phones or other items you will take with you in the back seat. This will force you to turn around before exiting the car.
  • When leaving your vehicle, check the front and back seats to make sure no sleeping children (or pets) are left in the car.