LEWISTOWN - Temperatures climbed into the 90s Wednesday, making it one of the hottest days the area has seen this year. With temperatures expected to reach the mid-90s today, according to the National Weather Service, local officials stress the importance of hot weather safety.
A press release from the Pennsylvania Department of Health offers the following hot weather safety tips:
* Stay indoors in air conditioning as much as possible.
Article Photos
Sentinel photo by BRADLEY KREITZER
Chase Ritter, 6, of Lewistown, cools off at the fountains at the Rec Park Community Pool Wednesday evening in Lewistown.
* Drink plenty of water during the day.
* Outdoor workers should drink between two and four cups of water every hour while working.
* Avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol or large amounts of sugar.
* Limit outdoor activity to mornings and evenings and rest often in the shade.
* Wear light-colored and loose-fitting clothing, a hat, sunglasses and an SPF 15 or higher sunscreen.
* Never leave children or pets alone in a vehicle.
The release also recommends keeping an eye on infants, young children, senior citizens and those with chronic medical conditions who may be more at-risk from high temperatures.
"Friends, family and neighbors should be checking on each other," Phil Lucas, director of the Mifflin County Office of Public Safety, said.
Area residents without access to air conditioning may find relief rom the heat in local senior citizen centers or libraries, he said. If an extreme heat warning is issued by the National Weather Service, agencies throughout Mifflin and Juniata counties may open extra cooling stations in the area. If cooling stations open, locations will be announced on local radio stations, Lucas said.
As temperatures rise, residents should watch for symptoms of heat exhaustion which include; heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting and fainting. People showing symptoms should be cooled off and seek medical attention if symptoms are severe or last more than an hour, the press release states.
The Department of Health also warns of heat stroke, a life-threatening, heat-related condition characterized by extremely high body temperature, rapid pulse, throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion or unconciousness. If heat stroke is suspected, residents should call for emergency medical attention immediately and move the victim to a shady area. The affected person should be cooled rapidly with cool water. Do not offer them any fluids to drink, the release warns.
To learn more about staying safe during extremely hot weather, visit emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat.
