Protect Yourself from Severe Heat! Excessive Heat Warning Issued for Dane County

The National Weather Service has issued a Excessive Heat Warning from 12pm Friday thru 7pm Saturday. Highs today and tomorrow will be in the mid 90s, with heat index values between 100 and 110 degrees. 

Extremely high or unusually hot temperatures coupled with high humidity can have some serious effects on your health such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Over 600 deaths from extreme heat events occur each year in the United States. Most vulnerable are older adults, those who work or exercise outdoors, infants and children, the homeless or poor, and people with a chronic medical condition.

Here are some important precautions you should take to avoid serious health consequences related to this extreme heat.

Stay cool

Stay in air-conditioned buildings. If you need a cool place to stay, public places such as local senior centers, libraries, and malls are good options.
Limit outdoor activity, especially midday when it is the hottest part of the day, and avoid direct sunlight.
Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
Never sit in a parked car or leave a child or pet in a parked car.

Stay hydrated

Drink more than usual and don't wait until you're thirsty to drink.
Drink from two to four cups of water every hour while working or exercising outside.
Avoid alcohol and liquids containing high amounts of sugar.
Make sure your family and pets are drinking enough water.

Stay connected

Check your local news for extreme heat warnings and safety tips.
Regularly check on friends, loved-ones, and neighbors either face-to-face or via telephone.

Stay aware about your own situation as well as what's going on around you. If you start feeling overheated, weak, dizzy, nauseated, or have muscle cramps, you could be experiencing heat illness. Move to air conditioning, drink water, get under a fan, and put on cool washcloths. If your symptoms worsen or don't improve, go to the emergency room.

If you see a parked car with a child left alone, call 9-1-1 and stay with the car. If you see a pet left alone, also call 9-1-1 and don't leave until help arrives.
If you need a cool place to visit, several local options include:

Madison –
See the City's website to find libraries and community centers near you.
(http://www.cityofmadison.com/).

Fitchburg -
Senior Center – 5510 Lacy Rd. – (608-270-4290
Library - 5530 Lacy Rd. – (608) 729-1760

Monona –
Senior Center – 1011 Nichols Rd. (lower level)
Library – 1000 Nichols Rd. – (608) 222-6127

Verona –
Senior Center – 108 Paoli St. – (608) 845-7471
Library – 500 Silent St. – (608) 845-7180

Contact: Sarah Mattes(608) 242-6414 or smattes@publichealthmdc.com