Beating the heat safety tips

ALBANY, Ga. – As this intense heat wave rolls on, it poses a major health risk to everyone who steps outside.

For local mother Jennifer Kulny and her two daughters, a scoop of ice cream before eleven thirty is how they’re trying to keep cool…

Especially since their options to get out of the heat are limited.

“We were going to go to the river, but then we realized how hot is was. And then we decided ‘ice cream!’ and then we’re gonna go back to the splash pad because it’s just so hot. It’s a good excuse for ice cream early in the morning but it is hot out here,” Jennifer Kulny, local mother.

As more than half the country is dealing with an ongoing heatwave, it poses several health risks for those who have to be outside for an extended period of time.

We spoke with the department of public health about what you can do if you have to be out in the heat for hours on end.

As well as some of the signs to look out for.

“Some of them may be excessive sweating, or getting to the point where you aren’t sweating at all. Having an elevated body temperature over 104 degrees, excess thirst, decreased urination, headache, dizziness, fainting, things like that,” said Meghan Herendeen, Public Information Officer, Ga. Dept. of Public Health.

We’ve experienced some of the hottest days on record over the previous few weeks.

And with these temperatures and humidity breaking into the triple digits, it provides concern for anyone needing to be outside.

“There’s lots of concern about people suffering from heat-related illness, so we like to make sure that people understand how to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness, how to prevent them from happening and what to do in the event one occurs,” said Herendeen.

The GA Department of Public Health recommends a few things if you have to be outside.

Drinking plenty of water is one, and making sure to wear light colored and loose fitting clothes to prevent overheating.

Another thing to keep an eye out on, especially for kids and animals…

Is the hot car.

“The temperature in a car increases exponentially, once it’s turned off, the air conditioner is not going. So while it may feel like 100 degress outside, the inside might be as hot as 130 degrees inside the car in about 10 minutes,” said Herendeen.

For Jennifer and her girls the intense heat feels different from how it’s been in years past.

“Honestly, it feels like that every single summer. Ever since I was a kid, it feels like ‘oh man it’s going to be so hot.’ …It’s kind of scary, I don’t let my kids go out as much in the middle of the day because it’s dangerous,” said Kulny.

And while this current heat wave feels like it has no end in sight, the department of public health wants to make sure that if you do have to step outside, that you’re staying cool to avoid the worst.

According to the National Weather Service, some parts of the country are seeing temperatures as high as 120 degrees.

Brian Roche reporting.

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