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Heat hits Quad-Cities hard
Originally Posted Online: June 22, 2009, 6:34 pm
Last Updated: June 23, 2009, 9:50 am
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Print this story | Email this storyLast Updated: June 23, 2009, 9:50 am
By Laura Anderson, landerson@qconline.com
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Summer slammed into the Quad-Cities with a vengeance Monday. The temperature is expected to be 95 or 96 today, pushing a record of 97 degrees. Monday's high was 94 with a heat index approaching 100. "The higher the humidity, the warmer it makes it feel," National Weather Service meteorologist David Sheets said, adding that the dew point has been in the low-to-mid 70s, which is about as high as it gets in the summer. Mr. Sheets said the Quad-Cities had unusually cool weather for the end of spring and beginning of summer, and folks aren't used to the heat. "We've made a pretty big jump for people to get acclimated to," he said. "It's been a while since it's been this hot." If you can't stay inside where it's cooler, drink plenty of water and pay attention to how you're feeling, said Genesis Medical Center emergency physician Dr. Michael Cronkleton. If you begin to feel dizzy or nauseous, seek shade or air conditioning, he said in a press release. Heat exhaustion can come on quickly, he said, with symptoms including cool, moist or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness and exhaustion; and rising body temperature. Dr. Cronkleton urged those who become disoriented, develop a high temperature or stop perspiring to seek medical treatment immediately. Heat stroke is slightly different than heat exhaustion and includes symptoms such as hot, red skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse and rapid,shallow breathing. Dr. Cronkleton said body temperature in a heat stroke can be as high as 105 degrees. "'Tis the season for nasty, miserably hot weather," Mr. Sheets said. "Roasting temperatures and heavy humidity will hang around at least through the first half of this week before breaking, and the National Weather Service may be issuing heat advisories over the next few days." Some tips to beat the heat: --Stay out of the heat if you can. Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable, along with people with chronic conditions such as heart disease, asthma and high blood pressure. --If you don't have air conditioning, visit friends or relatives who do, go to the library, museum or a movie, or walk around the mall. --Eat smaller meals, but eat more frequently. --Drink plenty of water, particularly when exercising or working outdoors. One guideline is 8 ounces of water for every 20 minutes of outdoor activity. Try to also avoid alcohol and caffeine drinks. Both act as diuretics and speed up the loss of fluid. --Wear light-colored clothes, which don't absorb as much heat as dark clothing. --Make sure children take breaks from outdoor activity. Take a break from outside activity during the hottest part of the day to play games, or watch a movie inside. --Take care of your skin if you're outdoors. Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher, wear a wide-brimmed hat. --Carry an umbrella for shade. --Keep a cool head. Fill a zipper baggie with ice, seal and put it under your hat. --Freeze damp cloths or bandannas and drape them over your neck. --Fill a squirt bottle with colored plastic ice cubes and water. Spritz yourself. --Get a hand-held, battery-powered fan. Brownie points if it has a water spritzer too. --Eat flavored ice: fill an ice cube tray with juice or Kool Aid. --Make smoothies: Put (fresh or frozen) fruit, ice (if you used fresh fruit), and juice, and yogurt if you have it, into a blender. Blend until smooth! Sources: Genesis Medical Center ; McClatchy; NWS Meteorologist David Sheets 
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