June 28, 2013 — According to the National Weather Service, Kittitas County is forecasted to reach temperatures ranging from 95 to 105 degrees Monday through Thursday. Long periods of hot weather can increase the chance of heat related illness. The Kittitas County Public Health Department asks residents to consider the following:
- Stay in a cool environment during the hottest hours of the day.
- Drink more water than usual.
- Avoid drinking alcohol and sugary drinks.
- Wear light-colored and lightweight clothing.
- If working or exercising outside, rest more often.
Heat illnesses range from minor to life threatening. People at increased risk for heat related illness include the elderly, the very young, people who work or exercise outdoors, and people who are ill or taking certain medications.
Early warning signs include muscle cramps, heavy sweating, nausea, skin that is pale and cool, and weakness. If this happens to you, get to a cooler place and drink water.
Call 911 and try to cool the person down if you see these danger signs of heat stroke:
- Hot, dry, red skin
- Vomiting
- Confusion
- Throbbing headache
- High temperature (above 103°F)
- Rapid breathing and heartbeat
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) extreme heat exposure caused or contributed to more than 7,800 deaths in the US from 1999 to 2009 making it the lead cause of weather-related deaths during that time. For more information, visit the CDC’s Extreme Heat and Your Health website https://www.cdc.gov/extremeheat/
