EASTON, Pa. — After a cooler June, the heat is on this July.
Temperatures are expected to climb into the 90s this week and the humidity can make it feel even hotter. Health officials are warning people to watch out for dangerous heat conditions.
- When the weather switches from mild to extreme in a matter of days, doctors say more people come in with heat-related illnesses
- Fatigue, headache or confusion can be signs that the heat is making someone sick
- Dr. John Wilson of St. Luke's Anderson campus said to avoid the heat, if possible, especially during peak afternoon heat hours, or plan cooling breaks
"Heat illnesses really run a gamut on a spectrum," said Dr. John Wilson, chief of Emergency Medicine services for St. Luke’s Anderson campus.
"Everything from something as simple as prickly heat, which can be when your sweat pores get clogged and you get a little bit of an itchy rash, all the way up to heatstroke, which is life threatening and fatal if not treated."
Wilson said that when the weather switches from cooler to hot in a matter of days, he sees more people come into the hospital needing heat-related treatment.
Signs the heat is too much
Wilson said signs that the warm weather may be too much for someone include feeling more fatigued than normal or getting a significant headache.
"The most concerning signs are when you feel as though you might pass out, when you act or become confused," he said. "Some people will experience personality changes.
“Stick to water, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, especially if you're going to be outside in the heat directly."Nicole Roschella, regional communications manager at Red Cross of Greater PA
“In other words, you're with someone and suddenly they become belligerent or not acting like themselves, that can be a sign of heat illness."
Wilson advised people to avoid the heat if possible, especially during peak afternoon heat hours. If staying indoors is not possible, he suggested people schedule cooling breaks while outside.
He suggested having a drink with electrolytes on hand for those out in the sun all day to combat heat stroke.
"One thing they may not be aware of or may not think of is that in addition to losing water when you sweat, you also lose electrolytes," he said. "And it's important to also replace your sodium and your chloride."
Nicole Roschella, regional communications manager at Red Cross of Greater PA, said the organization also offers tips to stay safe in the summer heat. She said it often assists cities and towns with their cooling centers by gathering volunteers to hand out water.
“Stay hydrated when it's this hot,” Roschella said. “Stick to water, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, especially if you're going to be outside in the heat directly."
Signs the heat is too much
Roschella also reminded people to check on their neighbors. She said the very young and the elderly are most at risk for heat-related illnesses.
“We recommend that people go to a place like a mall or library — somewhere open to the public," she said. "That's a cooler place for them to get some relief, especially during the hardest times of day."
“We recommend that people go to a place like a mall or library — somewhere open to the public. That's a cooler place for them to get some relief, especially during the hardest times of day."Nicole Roschella, regional communications manager at Red Cross of Greater PA
Wilson and Roschella stressed the importance of paying attention to the signs to determine whether you or someone else is overheating.
If symptoms arise, they said to get that person to a cool, shaded location and offer them water. If the person seems confused or loses consciousness, call 911.
More information on heat safety can be found on the Red cross website at redcross.org/summersafety
