Let’s be careful out there.
If memory serves us correctly, so ended each day’s briefing on the 1980s police drama “Hill Street Blues.”
And during these times of excessive heat advisories and warnings, it’s good advice for all of us.
The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory that is in effect until 10 p.m. Saturday night. According to the weather service, the most oppressive conditions will be on Friday and Saturday, as temperatures will reach into the upper 90s and heat index values will peak between 103 and 108 degrees.
This, according to the weather service, means a combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible. Heat illnesses include heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Heat exhaustion is typically caused when people who are not well-adjusted to the heat exercise in a hot, humid environment. The human body cools itself largely through evaporation of sweat. But when it’s humid, this mechanism doesn’t work properly, and the body loses a combination of fluids and electrolytes. When paired with not drinking enough fluids, this causes a person to go into a mild shock. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include paleness, cool, moist skin, profuse sweating, feelings of dizziness or faintness, headache, weakness, thirst, nausea, increased pulse rate and a temperature of more than 100 degrees. To treat heat exhaustion, rest in a cool, shaded area, give cool fluids such as water or sports drinks, loosen or remove clothing, apply cool water to the skin, and don’t drink beverages containing alcohol or caffeine.
Heat stroke is a more serious illness and may develop rapidly and occurs in people whose cooling mechanisms are impaired and those who are undergoing strenuous activity in a hot environment. Infants and the elderly are more likely to have this problem, as are people who take antihistamines or certain types of medicine for high blood pressure or depression. Symptoms include unconsciousness, dizziness, confusion, hallucinations or coma, flushed, hot and dry skin, slightly elevated blood pressure, hyperventilation, and a temperature of 105 or more. To treat, first call 911, then move the person to a cooler environment or place him or her in a cool bath of water if the victim is conscious and can be attended at all times. Moisten the skin with lukewarm water and use a fan to blow cool air across the skin. Give cool beverages by mouth only if the person has a normal mental state and can tolerate it.
But perhaps the best treatment is prevention. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors. If you must work in the heat, drink lots of fluids and take frequent breaks in the shade. And if you’re not used to being out in the heat, stay indoors.
In short, use common sense when it’s this hot.
DAILY NEWS
