With the cold and snowy winter and spring fresh in our memories, the idea of being too hot seems far-fetched. But a week where temperatures could reach the upper 80's by Friday brings to mind heat safety.
The state designated Wednesday(June 5) as Heat Awareness Day in Wisconsin.
In 2018, preliminary figures from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services show five people died in Wisconsin due to heat-related causes. In the last five years, at least 13 people have died in Wisconsin and thousands of residents have fallen ill or been hospitalized due to heat-related conditions.
Dawn Robinson at Oneida County Emergency Management says people and animals can be at risk in the heat...
"...Try to avoid being outside during the hottest part of the day. Also, check with your physician or pharmacist, if you take medications, how those medications may be affected during the hot times of the year. Regarding your pets, if they are on medications, check with the veterinarian..."
She says wear light-weight, light colored clothes. Take frequent breaks and drink plenty of fluids and plan events away from the hottest part of the day. Robinson says children and pets also need special care...
"Try not to leave children, the elderly, or pets in your vehicle. The best place for them is at home, if possible. In the event the air conditioning stops in your vehicle. It's just not a good idea to leave children, the elderly or pets in your vehicle..."
Officials says leaving a window partially open is not enough to keep things safe inside. Temperatures inside a vehicle climb very quickly - as much as 20 degrees Fahrenheit in just 10 minutes.
Robinson says watch for signs of heat-related illnesses, such as weakness, dizziness, nausea, and muscle cramps. If symptoms don’t improve, seek medical attention.
