Temperatures are forecast to hit the mid- and upper-90s Tuesday through Friday in the D.C. area. The National Weather Service has issued a a Heat Advisory for the District, Baltimore City and parts of Northern Virginia.
So Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services on Monday released a list of tips for avoiding heat exhaustion and heatstroke:
Think Prevention! Be sensible about how much you exert yourself in hot weather.
- Drink plenty of fluids- do not wait until you are thirsty.
- Avoid exertion in the hottest weather.
- Wear light-colored, loose clothing.
It could feel as hot as 105 degrees in some areas, according to heat index forecasts from the Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang.
The NWS has issued the Advisory for noon to 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Expect others as the week goes on.
MCFRS also released symptoms of heat-related illnesses and immediate steps to take if you are around someone who appears to have heat exhaustion or heatstroke:
Heat Exhaustion
- Severe thirst
- Muscle weakness
- Nausea, sometimes vomiting
- Irritability
- Headache
- Increased sweating
- Cool clammy skin
- Elevation of body temperature to 105 degrees Fahrenheit
- Weak, rapid pulse
Heatstroke
- Severe, throbbing headache
- Weakness, dizziness or confusion
- Difficulty breathing
- Decreased responsiveness or loss of consciousness
- Little or no sweating
- Flush, hot, dry skin
- Elevation of body temperature to 105 degrees Fahrenheit
What to Do:
If the person has a temperature of 105 degrees Farenheit or more or shows signs and symptoms of heatstroke, seek emergency medical care immediately. In cases of heat exhaustion and while waiting for help:
- Move the person to a cool place indoors or under the shade of a tree.
- Loosen clothing.
- Have the person lie down. Elevate feet slightly.
- If the person is alert, place in cool (not cold) bath water.
- IF the person is alert, give frequent sips of cool, clear fluids (clear juice or sports drinks are best).
- If the person is vomiting, turn his or her body to the side to prevent choking.
- Monitor the person’s temperatures.
Flickr photo by ehpien
