Upcoming heat wave safety

Sheriff Warns of Upcoming Heat Wave and Tips to Stay Safe & Healthy

Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol, in anticipation of a significant heat wave that is expected to arrive this Saturday through Monday, is offering some tips and information to keep everyone safe & healthy.

Temperatures, with the predicted heat indexes, will be over 95 degrees Fahrenheit with some areas exceeding 100 degrees -105 degrees Fahrenheit.

Children, adults, or animals should neverbe left inside a vehicle during the warm weather. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, when temperatures outside range from 80 degrees to 100 degrees Fahrenheit , the temperature inside a parked car can quickly, within minutes, climb to between 130 degrees to 172 degrees Fahrenheit.

What to do during extreme heat periods:

•Never leave a child, adult, or animal alone inside a vehicle.

•Find places with air conditioning. Libraries, shopping malls, and community centers can provide a cool place to take a break from the heat.

•If you’re outside, find shade. Wear a hat wide enough to protect your face.

•Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.

•Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.

•Avoid high-energy activities.

•Check yourself, family members, and neighbors for signs of heat-related illness.

•Keep your home cool by doing the following:

◦Cover windows with drapes or shades.

◦Weather-strip doors and windows.

◦Use attic fans to clear hot air.

◦Install window air conditioners and insulate around them.

Know the signs of heat-related illness and the ways to respond to it:

HEAT CRAMPS :

◦Signs: Muscle pains or spasms in the stomach, arms, or legs

◦Actions: Go to a cooler location, remove excess clothing, take sips of cool sports drinks with salt and sugar, and most importantly - get medical help if cramps last more than an hour.

HEAT EXHAUSTION:

◦Signs: Heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, or fainting

◦Actions: Go to an air-conditioned place and lie down, loosen or remove clothing, take a cool bath, take sips of cool sports drinks with salt and sugar, and get medical help if symptoms get worse or last more than an hour.

HEAT STROKE

◦Signs: Extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees) taken orally; red, hot, and dry skin with no sweat; rapid, strong pulse; dizziness; confusion; or unconsciousness

◦Actions: Call 911 or get the person to a hospital immediately. Cool down with whatever methods are available until medical help arrives.