This is dangerous weather, so heres what you should know about staying cool and staying safe.
What is an excessive heat warning?
First, lets talk about the difference between a warning and a watch or outlook.
A warning is the most serious of the three.
A taco warning means you better get ready because we are having tacosright now.
Anexcessive heat warningmeans that a dangerous level of heat is coming in the next 12 to 24 hours.
The Red Crosssaysthis means it is time to take precautions immediately to avoid heat-related illness.
Aheat advisorymeans that dangerous heat conditions are already happening.
(Fire, wind, and flood alerts are also included.)
How to stay hydrated in a heat wave
Heat can be dangerous.
Drinking enough water allows your body to cool itself through sweating.
Drink before youre thirsty, and drink plenty of water; keep sugary and alcoholic drinks to a minimum.
Sports drinks and electrolyte tablets are convenient, too.
They can give you more specific guidance on how much you should be drinking.
Also ask if any of your medications can make you more susceptible to extreme heat; some can.
Communities often set up cooling stations for heat relief.
Dont forget sunscreen if youll be in the sun, and remember thatnot all sunscreen is sweat-proof.
The early morning and late evening will be the least hot times to be outside.
Use those times for exercise, outdoor work, or other physical tasks.
Seek out air conditioning, or take a cold shower or bath.
verify never to leave children or pets in a car in the heat, even for a short time.
Double check when you leave the car that everybody has gotten out.
Find out if theyre able to keep themselves cool or if they need a ride to a cooling station.
Check on their pets, too.
Do they have access to air conditioning?
Do they know how to keep cool?
Do they show any signs of heat stress?
Know the signs of heat illness
Heat exhaustion happens when we cant cool ourselves down enough.
Its not an emergencyyet, but could quickly get worse.
Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and feeling faint can all occur with heat exhaustion.
The skin is usually cold, pale, clammy, and sweaty.
Heatstroke is the next stage, and its an emergency.
In either case, its important to cool the person down.
(If you have called 911, do this while you wait for help.)
Loosen clothes and consider a cold bath or shower, or place cool wet cloths on the person.
