Tips for Weathering a Heat Wave
No need to tell anyone in the DMV that we’re in the midst of our first heat wave of the summer. Excessive heat warnings have been issued from noon to 8 p.m. and the heat index could hit between 106 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
At 6 a.m. this morning, the thermometer was already hitting 82 degrees Fahrenheit and was expected to head up to about 96 degrees today and 95 degrees on Saturday.
Even swimming pools are providing no respite to the heat as the water feels more like a bath than a refreshing experience. Residents and visitors alike are being warned to stay in the air conditioning, wear light colors if you must go out and drink plenty of water.
Not only is the heat uncomfortable, but it can be dangerous especially for the young, elderly and those with chronic illnesses. Even normally healthy people can be taken down by the high temperatures.
Extreme heat can lead to a range of ailments. Conditions such as heat rash or heat cramps can be treated at home. But when a more serious condition such as heat stroke occurs, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately, as it can prove deadly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heat exposure caused 7,233 deaths in the United States from 1999 to 2009.
In this video, Dr. Glenn Geeting, an emergency medicine physician at Penn State Hershey Medical Center, talks about the symptoms and treatments of heat-related illnesses — and how to avoid them in the first place.
Editor-in-Chief Mark Heckathorn is a journalist, movie buff and foodie. He oversees DC on Heels editorial operations as well as strategic planning and staff development. Reach him with story ideas or suggestions at dcoheditor (at) gmail (dot) com.