As temperatures in Missouri regularly exceed 90 and heat indexes hit triple digits this summer, Perry County Emergency Management wants to remind people of helpful tips and resources for staying safe and cool.
Director Patrick Naeger said that while extreme cold accounts for more deaths annually than extreme heat, the hot weather should be taken seriously to avoid potentially life threatening complications such as heat stroke.
Naeger said certain groups of people are more susceptible to heat than others, but it is important for everyone to be aware of heat safety.
“Pregnant women are at risk, and newborns because they are so little and their bodies can get hot really fast,” Naeger said. “And the elderly are at risk because sometimes their thermostats aren’t as good, and they often have other conditions that the heat and cold could affect. And kids and pets. It is very important to remember never to leave a child or pet in a car even if it is running, those are some crazy bad cases we have luckily not seen around here.”
He said the most important things to consider are hydration, shade, and keeping the air moving inside with fans or air conditioning. He said the Park Center provides resources for people without access to quality air conditioning. He added that simply checking on people to make sure they are handling the weather well has a big impact on public safety in extreme weather.
“During the day we provide a cooling center at the Park Center, so that people can get a bit of relief and go in and cool down,” Naeger said. “We don’t see a lot of people using it but it is available. Most people around here are pretty resourceful, a lot of good neighbors and family members who look out for each other in bad weather, that keeps a lot of people safe as well.”
Naeger said to always wear light and loose clothing in the heat, if you have to be outside, try to find shade, and to make hydration a priority. He said it is important to watch out for warning signs of heat exhaustion, especially if you have a history of heart problems or breathing problems.
“Drink plenty of water, but sometimes water isn’t enough because you need to replenish your electrolytes if you are doing a lot of sweating,” he said. “You have to take time to rest, wear a hat, wear sunglasses, the severe heat can be bad for your eyesight as well. You have to monitor your own body, if you start to feel nauseated or weak or like you are about to pass out, that is a bad sign.”
More tips, along with graphics and weather information can be found on the Perry County Emergency Management Facebook page.
