Heat Wave Coming | News

Heat will be the main concern for the next few days and is the number one weather related killer. So here are some tips to help beat the heat:

-- Drink plenty of water.

-- Move down to the basement or a room with A/C where it's cooler to sleep. Or try sleeping on a screened porch.

-- Avoid alcoholic beverages; alcohol can increase a person's risk to heat related illnesses

-- Decrease physical activity such as yard work or exercise. Activities should occur in the morning or in the evening. Stay in shade as much as possible

-- Drink iced tea or water with lemon; they're thirst-quenching and cooling. Sodium and sugar in soft drinks increase thirst.

-- Keep shades or curtains drawn and windows closed during the day. Open them at night. Also leave doors to the attic and basement open 24/7.

-- Individuals with chronic health problems, such as heart disease or lung problems, should minimize activities because the heat will add additional stress

-- Buy a backyard inflatable pool to soak in (it's a cool place for your dog, too.)

-- Keep in mind fans are only effective when they are bringing in cool air. When the relative humidity is high, the evaporative cooling of sweat is diminished

-- Extra caution should be taken for the elderly and young infants and children to assure that they are protected from the heat

-- Check on those who may need assistance

-- Children and pets should not be left unattended in closed vehicles. Temperatures quickly rise to dangerous levels

-- Roll up throw rugs and carpets to expose cooler floor surfaces.

-- Eat spicy food as they do in the hot climates of Mexico or India. It causes you to perspire, cooling the body.

-- Turn off as many lights as possible (especially those with iridescent bulbs, which emit heat) and avoid using the oven or stove. Basically, power down all you can.

-- Put ice in a plastic newspaper delivery bag, knot it at the end and roll it inside a bandana. Tie the bandana around your neck.

-- Wear natural fibers such as cotton, silk or linen rather than artificial fabrics made of polyester or rayon. And if you're just hanging out at home, wear just underwear (or even less).

-- Or here’s one, if you follow baseball lore, you can do what Babe Ruth did to stay cool: wear a cabbage leaf under your cap.