Stay safe during the heat advisory!
Dear neighbor,
Marion County is expecting extreme heat over the next few days. Please read through this notice issued by the Marion County Public Health Department for tips on how to stay safe and when to seek help for medical emergencies:
Marion County residents are urged to take precautions and stay safe as hot temperatures are forecast for Central Indiana. Currently, the National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Saturday, June 21 through Tuesday, June 24. A heat advisory means that temperatures of at least 100°F or heat index values of at least 105°F are expected. Anyone who must work or spend time outside is advised to drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks in the shade. Older adults and the very young are at a higher risk for heat-related illness.
When the humidity is high, sweat does not evaporate as quickly which prevents the body from releasing heat as fast as it may need to.
“The best precaution to prevent heat illness is to drink plenty of water and limit the time spent outside in the sun,” said Virginia A. Caine, M.D., director and chief medical officer of the Marion County Public Health Department. “At the first sign of heat exhaustion, please take steps to help cool your body and get your body temperature down. Unlike heat exhaustion, heat stroke requires immediate medical attention. Someone experiencing heat stroke may have a headache, confusion, no sweating, rapid heart rates, nausea or vomiting, and may lose consciousness. In that case, call 911.”
Public spaces in Marion County such as libraries, shopping malls and Indy Parks & Recreation facilities can be used as cooling centers during normal business hours. Locations and hours of Indy Parks outdoor pools and splash pads are listed at https://parks.indy.gov/programs/poolsandsplashpads/. Information about Indy Parks Family Centers is available at https://www.indy.gov/activity/indy-parks-family-centers.
In addition to adults over age 65, other high-risk groups in extreme heat include:
Infants and young children
People who are overweight
People who overexert during work or exercise
People who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure, or who take certain medications, such as for depression, insomnia, or poor circulation
The Marion County Public Health Department shares these additional tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for preventing heat-related illness:
Stay Cool
Wear Appropriate Clothing: Choose lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
Stay Cool Indoors: Stay in an air-conditioned place as much as possible. If a home does not have air conditioning, go to the shopping mall or public library—even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help the body stay cooler when going back into the heat.
Schedule Outdoor Activities Carefully: Try to limit outdoor activity to when it is cooler, like morning and evening hours. Rest often in shady areas so that the body has a chance to recover.
Pace Yourself: Cut down on exercise during the heat. Those who are not accustomed to working or exercising in a hot environment should start slowly and pick up the pace gradually. If exertion in the heat causes the heart to pound and shortness of breath, STOP all activity. Get into a cool area or into the shade and rest, especially when becoming lightheaded, confused, weak or faint.
Wear Sunscreen: Sunburn affects the body’s ability to cool down and cause dehydration. If spending time outdoors, stay protect from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and applying sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes prior to going out. Continue to reapply sunscreen according to the package directions.
Do Not Leave Children or Pets in Cars: Cars can quickly heat up to dangerous temperatures, even with a window cracked open. Children are especially at risk of getting a heat stroke or dying. Pets can also suffer from heat illness. Even in cool temperatures, cars can heat up to dangerous temperatures very quickly. Leaving a window open is not enough; temperatures inside the car can rise almost 20 degrees Fahrenheit within the first 10 minutes, even with a window cracked open.
Stay Hydrated
Drink Plenty of Fluids: Drink more fluids, regardless of activity level. Don’t wait until feeling thirsty to drink fluids, such as water. Stay away from very sugary or alcoholic drinks – these cause the loss of more body fluid.
Stay Informed
Check for Updates: Check the local news for extreme heat alerts and safety tips and to learn about any cooling shelters.
Know the Signs: Heat-induced illness can cause a person to become confused or lose consciousness. Persons age 65 or older should have a friend or relative call to check in twice a day. If you know someone in this age group, check on them at least twice a day.
For more information, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/extreme-heat/about/index.html.
In service,
Rep. Gregory W. Porter
Thank you and Great advice!
Great advice Rep. Porter! Thank you!