Our temperatures are climbing to the highest they have been all summer today and for the next couple of days. Extreme heat takes the lives of about 175 on average in the United States each year. We can easily change this number if we take the proper precautions. Heat is dangerous as it taxes our body with excess stress and strain. Our bodies rid of heat by changing the rate and circulation of our blood, releasing water through the skin and sweat glands, and as a last resort by panting when the blood reaches a high temperature. The heart pumps more blood faster, your veins and capillaries enlarge and the blood is circulated closer to the surface of the skin allowing excess heat to flow out faster. Your skin is responsible fore about 90% of the heat dissipating functions. Sweating itself does not cool the body, its the sweats ability to evaporate that cools and when humidity is high, the sweat cant evaporate as well. Heat disorders are caused by the breakdown of the bodies ability to combat heat and also sometimes by a chemical imbalance caused by too much sweating. When heat gain is greater than the ability to lose heat or compensate for the electrolytes and salts lost due to sweating, the bodys core rises and heat disorder starts to develop.
When the heat index is between 80-90, fatigue is possible with prolonged activity. Heat index of 90-105 sunstroke, heat cramps, and heat stroke are possible with excessive activity. Heat index of 106-130, sunstroke, heat cramps, and heat stroke are likely with excessive activity. Heat index of 130 and up, heat stroke, heat cramps, and sunstroke are highly likely.
Signs of heat exhaustion are heavy sweating, weakness, clammy skin, vomiting, you can have a normal temperature still, and fainting. Signs of heat and sun stroke are the same as heat exhaustion plus high temperature of 106 and more, unconsciousness, hot dry skin, and rapid pulse. These are both dangerous and the right precautions need to be taken. If you or someone else is suffering from heat exhaustion, get out of the sun, lay down and loosen clothing, apply cold cloths to the body, sip water, move into an air conditioned area or area with a fan, if vomiting persists seek medical attention. If you or someone else if suffering from heat or sun stroke, get medical attention immediately. Until help arrives, make sure to move to a cool place, use a cold bath or cloths on them, do not give liquids.
Tips for safety during a heat wave
*Do not partake in strenuous activity
*Wear lightweight and light color clothes
*Watch what you eat, proteins raise metabolic temperature and increase water loss
*Drink lots of water and non alcoholic drinks, even if you are not thirsty
*Spend more time in air conditioned places
*Make sure to stay out of the sun as much as possible
*DO NOT leave children and pets in a car, even for a short period of time, it can be deadly
*Check on the elderly, young, and anyone with a compromised immune system and help them out
*If you dont have air conditioning, there are usually shelters in the area that are there to go to in order to keep cool
*Make sure your air conditioner is in working order before the heatwave starts
Bartlett Heating and Air offers emergency service to meet your needs so you don’t have to be without air conditioning and can be comfortable. Give us a call today to make sure your air conditioner is in working order. Below is a graph of what the heat index is with certain atmospheric conditions and the threat that comes with it. You read the graph by finding the actual temperature on the left and then you match across the top with that the relative humidity is and that gives you the heat index of how hot it will feel outside in the sun. You can find your relative humidity on the NOAA.gov or Weather.gov site.
