Health Officials, Veterinarians Advise Ways To Keep Cool
Health Officials, Veterinarians Advise Ways To Keep Cool
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
Health Officials, Veterinarians Advise Ways To Keep CoolLocal health officials and veterinarians want to make sure people and pets stay safe this week with climbing temperatures and humidity levels.
Mike Sabones, meteorologist in charge for the National Weather Service in Syracuse, said temperatures are expected to reach 93 degrees today with high humidity levels.
"Humidity levels will make it more uncomfortable for today compared to tomorrow," Sabones said.
He said he expects there to be showers and thunderstorms Thursday and Friday night with weekend temperatures in the low to mid 80s and humidity levels to be more comfortable.
Sabones said it is not uncommon in July for temperatures to be in the low 90s, and said temperatures are typically in the upper 80s this time of year.
Sabones said in northern Indiana the heat index reading is expected to reach 100 today, and a heat advisory has been administered for northeast Indiana. A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is expected.
The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible.
Dr. David Hartman, Kosciusko Community Hospital emergency room medical director, provided signs of heat-related illnesses and ways to prevent the illnesses.
He said symptoms of heat-related illness include weakness, fatigue, dizziness, vomiting and headaches.
Hartman said he has not treated anyone this summer with heat-related illnesses, but has treated those with heat exhaustion in previous years due to patients not replacing fluids.
He advised to prevent dehydration people should drink water and Gatorade to replace electrolytes, and avoid alcohol because it causes dehydration. He also advises people to wear light-colored clothing.
Hartman recommended to keep an eye on children and the elderly in warm temperatures, and don't leave children unattended in a car.
"With temperatures in the 90s outside the vehicle temperatures can reach 140 degrees that could kill a child in less than 10 minutes," Hartman said.
The Kosciusko Health Department provided information from the Center For Disease Control Web site on preventing heat-related illness.
Tips for preventing heat-related illness include drinking more fluids, avoiding drinking liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar, staying indoors in an air-conditioned place, or taking a cool shower or bath.
Other advice is to wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing, never leave anyone in a closed or parked vehicle and check regularly on infants and younger children and people ages 65 and older.
For those who are out in the heat, they are advised to limit outdoor activity in the morning and evening hours, cut down on exercise, rest often in shady areas and wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and put on sunscreen.
Local veterinarians advise pet owners on ways to protect their pets when temperatures rise.
Amy McPhail, registered veterinary technician for Lake City Animal Clinic, Warsaw, said pets can get heat exhaustion and strokes just like people.
McPhail said it is best to allow pets to have access to plenty of cold water, and don't leave pets in vehicles.
She said a sign of a pet having heat exhaustion is that their gums turn a brick red color, instead of pink.
She advises if an owner thinks their pet may have heat exhaustion to get them to the vet as soon as possible.
Dr. Dennis Woodward, veterinarian at the Vet Animal Hospital of Warsaw, advised pet owners to limit their pet's exercise in hot weather, especially on hot pavement.
He also said if a pet is tied on a leash outside to a tree or dog house allow them to get shade and water.
