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The latest chapter in the book of crazy 2011 weather is the record heatwave gripping much of the east coast, making weather center radar maps look like the entire eastern half of the country has a bad sunburn.
A large swath of central Pennsylvania remained under a hot weather advisory Thursday, and reports of heat related school closings have been filtering in from all over the place, including as close to our area as Easton.
Historically, the mean temperature for this time of the year is in the upper 70s or lower 80s, but for the sixth day in a row Thursday, temperatures climbed into the 90s, with heat indices scraping the 100s and the hazy air clinging to you like a huge hot hand.
In steamy weather like this, the danger of heat exhaustion and heat stroke become very real, especially for the very young and the very old.
This pre-summer heat wave has already contributed to the deaths of elderly citizens in at least three states, according to The Associated Press.
As a result, hospitals are bracing for heat-related illnesses that invariably strike the elderly during the dog days of summer.
To minimize these risks, health experts have a number of recommendations that will help keep you and your loved ones not only out of the emergency room, but also make getting through the sweltering days more bearable.
The first of these, of course, is to stay in air conditioned spaces whenever possible. No air conditioner? No problem. Take the kids to the library for a couple of hours during the hottest part of the day, or over to the Palmyra Township (Pike County) beach behind the Visitor’s Center at the north end of Lake Wallenpaupack.
Even close to the big cold lake, though, you are still out in the haze, so take the necessary precautions to stay out of danger. Bring a beach umbrella to make some shade for yourself, wear sunblock, and be sure to drink plenty of water.
Among young, healthy individuals, heat stroke can occur after exerting oneself outside in the heat, but for the elderly, especially those on certain medications that affect hydration and body temperature, simply sitting in a hot, un-air-conditioned apartment in the summer can result in heat stroke
According to the Centers For Disease Control in blistering hot Atlanta, where they really know how to beat the heat, Two to four 8 oz. glasses of water per hour is the rule of thumb for those working outside on a day with temperatures in the 90s. And everyone at risk for dehydration should be avoiding alcoholic, caffeinated and/or sugary beverages as they will only dehydrate further.
The latest chapter in the book of crazy 2011 weather is the record heatwave gripping much of the east coast, making weather center radar maps look like the entire eastern half of the country has a bad sunburn.
A large swath of central Pennsylvania remained under a hot weather advisory Thursday, and reports of heat related school closings have been filtering in from all over the place, including as close to our area as Easton.
Historically, the mean temperature for this time of the year is in the upper 70s or lower 80s, but for the sixth day in a row Thursday, temperatures climbed into the 90s, with heat indices scraping the 100s and the hazy air clinging to you like a huge hot hand.
In steamy weather like this, the danger of heat exhaustion and heat stroke become very real, especially for the very young and the very old.
This pre-summer heat wave has already contributed to the deaths of elderly citizens in at least three states, according to The Associated Press.
As a result, hospitals are bracing for heat-related illnesses that invariably strike the elderly during the dog days of summer.
To minimize these risks, health experts have a number of recommendations that will help keep you and your loved ones not only out of the emergency room, but also make getting through the sweltering days more bearable.
The first of these, of course, is to stay in air conditioned spaces whenever possible. No air conditioner? No problem. Take the kids to the library for a couple of hours during the hottest part of the day, or over to the Palmyra Township (Pike County) beach behind the Visitor’s Center at the north end of Lake Wallenpaupack.
Even close to the big cold lake, though, you are still out in the haze, so take the necessary precautions to stay out of danger. Bring a beach umbrella to make some shade for yourself, wear sunblock, and be sure to drink plenty of water.
Among young, healthy individuals, heat stroke can occur after exerting oneself outside in the heat, but for the elderly, especially those on certain medications that affect hydration and body temperature, simply sitting in a hot, un-air-conditioned apartment in the summer can result in heat stroke
According to the Centers For Disease Control in blistering hot Atlanta, where they really know how to beat the heat, Two to four 8 oz. glasses of water per hour is the rule of thumb for those working outside on a day with temperatures in the 90s. And everyone at risk for dehydration should be avoiding alcoholic, caffeinated and/or sugary beverages as they will only dehydrate further.
Oddly enough, experts say very young babies should not be given more fluids in hot weather, lest they get what medical professionals call water intoxication, a condition where the water dilutes the sodium in their body and can lead to seizure and coma — or worse.
Instead, dress your baby in cool clothes — or none at all — and keep them out of the sun, preferably near a fan. Wiping their skin periodically with tepid water will also go a long way toward keeping them cool, the CDC says.
With toddlers and young children who may be playing outside, water is O.K, but in moderation. Supplement water with fruit juices and/or sports drinks, and make sure that kids take breaks in the shade every so often and wear plenty of sun block, as sunburn can impede the body's ability to cool itself. These three tips also apply to adults and older children.
The CDC also recommends the following steps to help get you through until the heat wave breaks:
• Don’t drink liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar — these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.
• Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath, or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• NEVER leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle.
Although any one at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others. Check regularly on:
• Infants and young children
• People aged 65 or older
• People who have a mental illness
• Those who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure
The CDC recommends visiting adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Infants and young children, of course, need much more frequent watching.
If you must be out in the heat:
• Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.
• Cut down on exercise. If you must exercise, drink two to four glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids each hour. A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat. Also, sports drinks contain a lot of sugar, so use them sparingly, as well.
• Try to rest often in shady areas.
• Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat (also keeps you cooler) and sunglasses and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (the most effective products say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” on their labels).
