The National Weather Service in Burlington, Vermont, is predicting warmer weather in the coming days for parts of the North Country, including the risk of extreme temperatures.
Areas of the state will see both minor, moderate and major levels of heat.
Ready.gov, an official website of the U.S. government, is urging residents to be prepared this summer for extreme heat, which is expected to become more frequent and intense in the future, officials report on the organization’s website.
The group is using the public education effort #SummerReady to help warn of the dangers of heat and urge people to take precautions, particularly those in lower income households, rural communities, older adults, laborers, athletes and individuals with medical conditions.
As we get deeper into summer and temperatures continue to rise, keep in mind several tips offered by ready.gov to avoid heat-related issues.
Fans are not enough in high heat and humidity, and it is important for residents to seek air-conditioned spaces or go to public areas such as a library, movie theater or shopping mall to beat the heat.
If you don’t have access to air conditioning, contact your local emergency management office or enter your zip code at www.211.org to find a nearby community cooling option.
Use your oven less during extreme heat advisories and warnings. Roughly 40% of unwanted heat buildup in homes comes through windows. Awnings and curtains can be used to help keep heat out. Check the weather stripping on doors and windows to keep the cool air in as much as possible.
Read up on the side effects of certain medications and how heat exposure may interact with them. In addition, have a cooler and cold packs on hand to help keep refrigerated medicine cool in the event of a power outage.
Check on your family members, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning or who spend much of their time alone.
On those warmer days, if you must be outside, be sure to drink a lot of fluids, such as water, not drinks that include caffeine, to avoid heat stroke and dehydration.
Keep cloths or even a t-shirt in the freezer to wear around your neck, ready.gov suggests, and take frequent breaks to hydrate and cool down. It is also suggested to wear a hat wide enough to protect your face while outdoors.
If you suspect the heat has become too much, there are signs to look out for and know when to either find ways to cool yourself down or take more drastic measures.
Heat illness symptoms can vary by person, according to Bharat Venkat, director of the University of California, Los Angeles Heat Lab, and medications as well as underlying conditions can make it harder to regulate body temperature or notice you’re getting too hot.
He explained that early signs there is a problem include heavy sweating, muscle cramps and headache. That’s when you should find ways to cool yourself off by splashing yourself with cold water or finding an air-conditioned space.
As heat exhaustion sets in, Venkat explained, additional symptoms such as a faster heart rate and dizziness occur. After that comes heat stroke, which can include confusion, slurred words and fainting. According to Ashley Ward, director of the Heat Policy Innovation Hub at Duke University, that’s when it’s time to seek medical attention.
“Don’t be embarrassed to call 911 or go to urgent care when you think you might have overdone it in the heat,” he said.