Heat safety tips

A Heat Advisory will go into effect for Green, Rock and Walworth counties in southern Wisconsin and for Winnebago, Boone, Ogle, Lee, DeKalb and McHenry counties Thursday.  An Excessive Heat Watch will go into effect for Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Carroll and Whiteside counties beginning Thursday as well.


With temperatures expected to rise significantly over the next couple of days, it's important to keep these heat safety tips in mind when you're out and about.

Heat is the number one weather related killer in the United States, resulting in hundreds of fatalities each year.  On average, excessive heat claims more lives each year than floods, lightning, tornadoes and hurricanes combined.  IF you must be outside for a prolonged period of time here are a few things to help keep you safe when the mercury rises.

Slowdown: Reduce or eliminate strenuous activity during the peak heat of the afternoon and try to do activities when it's the coolest time of the day.  This is usually early in the morning or once the sun has set.

Dress for summer: If you need to be outside make sure you wear light weight, light-colored clothing.  Remember, the darker the color is the more sunlight it will absorb.

Put less fuel on your inner fires: Foods like meat and other proteins can increase metabolic heat production, but can also increase water loss.  Try to eat lighter meals if possible.

Drink water: Remember, you want to keep your body hydrated.  Your body needs water to keep cool. Drink plenty of fluids even if you don't feel thirsty. Persons who have epilepsy or heart, kidney or liver disease, are on fluid restrictive diets or have a problem with fluid retention should consult a physician before increasing their consumption of fluids. Remember, DO NOT drink alcoholic beverages and limit caffeinated beverages. 

Try to stay in the air conditioning and avoid too much sun: If you don't have an home or apartment that has air conditioning, go visit your local mall, library or grocery store.  Even an hour or two in a cool place can help you out.  You can also look for local cooling centers.  Many times when the temperature is expected to rise these centers will open up.

It's also important to keep in mind how quickly the temperature can rise in a vehicle.  Even if the outside temperature is in the low 80s, inside the vehicle temperatures can quickly rise to 115° to 120° within 20 minutes.  Never leave your child in a vehicle even if it's for a few moments or if the windows are open.  If at home, make sure you lock your vehicle so your child can't get in to play.  Also, don't forget about your pets.  They need shade and water, too.