Health Officials Warn to Beat Heat as Temperatures Rise
Heat advisories have been issued Thursday for all over the Northwest Arkansas and River Valley and health officials area are warning people to be cautious in the heat to stay safe. The national weather service saying that “dangerously hot and humid conditions are expected this week across a large portion of the nation.”
Health officials everywhere are offering tips to the public to remain safe as temperatures continue to rise. FEMA issued these tips Wednesday:
To help Americans stay safe during extreme heat, FEMA urges residents to consider taking the following actions in affected areas:
-Postpone outdoor games and activities and limit exposure to the sun.
-Drink plenty of water and avoid caffeine; limit alcoholic beverage intake.
-Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothing.
-Spend the warmest part of the day in temperature-controlled buildings such as libraries, schools, movie theaters, shopping malls, or community facilities.
-Check on family, friends, and neighbors who do not have air conditioning and who spend much of their time alone.
Local health officials in Northwest Arkansas reiterate these tips. Local Mana clinics telling 40/29 that people can easily fall ill if exposed to excess heat.
"There's a whole spectrum of heat related illnesses from very minor things like a heat rash to heat exhaustion to heat stroke. In heat stroke your body loses the ability to regulate temperature your body can go very high 105, 107 and that's a true medical emergency," said Dr. Thomas Harris.
Local Salvation Army facilities preparing to see more people come in to beat the heat. "So during heat, we give out box fans we give out water. When its hot outside heat index of 95 or above and actually open up a building as a cooling center so people can just come between 8 and 4 and sit in the building and cool off," said Lindsey Strong with the Salvation Army.
Other groups offering tips for students and people who still want to get outside. You can seem more tips the Kendrick Fincher Hydration For Life has to offer here.
Health officials say if you do feel you are suffering from heat related illnesses to contact your physician immediately.