The Pulaski County Health Department heat advisory expired at 7 p.m. Thursday, but the excessive heat is not expected to let up and residents should still use caution when outdoors.
LaDonna Murray, environmental department director of the Pulaski County Health Department, said the heat advisory issued at noon Wednesday expired Thursday night, but people should remain careful about their exposure to the heat.
Murray said people without air conditioning, especially the elderly and children, should take advantage of area cooling centers, such as St. Robert City Hall and area senior centers. Murray said some cooling centers are generally not open on the weekends and, instead, people should visit any local establishment that offers air conditioning, such as movie theaters and shopping centers.
“The best way to protect from the heat is to keep yourself out of the sun during the hottest times of the day, which is between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.,” Murray said.
Murray said the elderly and children are especially at risk of heat stress or heat exhaustion because their body temperatures have a harder time regulating to the heat. Murray said children's core body temperatures rise three to five times faster than adults.
Doug Cramer, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said today would see a high temperature of about 90 degrees and a maximum heat index of about 102. Cramer said Saturday and Sunday are both expected to be highs of 93 degrees with maximum heat indexes of 102.
“It could be worse,” Cramer said. “This time of year could be up to 110 (maximum heat index).”
Cramer said the National Weather Service generally issues heat advisories when the heat index gets up to 105. The service has not issued a heat advisory warning for Pulaski County as of Thursday evening.
Signs and symptoms of heat stress or heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, increasingly pale complexion, muscle cramps, dizziness, headache, exhaustion or weakness, fainting and nausea or vomiting.
The department stated that groups especially at risk include the elderly, chronically ill, children under 4 years old and anyone who works vigorously outdoors.
Residents are encouraged to take precautions against heat-related illnesses by:
• drinking plenty of water to keep hydrated;
• avoiding strenuous work or exercise outside during the hottest times of the day;
• wearing light-colored, loose fitting clothing;
• avoiding drinks containing alcohol or caffeine;
• never leaving infants, children or pets in a parked vehicle;
• avoiding sitting directly in front of a fan because they can actually increase the body temperature;
• checking with a pharmacist or doctor to find out if any medications currently being taken have an increased risk of heat-related illnesses; and
• avoiding hot foods and heavy meals.
For more information on the nearest available cooling center, visit http://gis.dhss.mo.gov/Website/coolingCenter/coolingCenter.html#.
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The Pulaski County Health Department heat advisory expired at 7 p.m. Thursday, but the excessive heat is not expected to let up and residents should still use caution when outdoors.
LaDonna Murray, environmental department director of the Pulaski County Health Department, said the heat advisory issued at noon Wednesday expired Thursday night, but people should remain careful about their exposure to the heat.
Murray said people without air conditioning, especially the elderly and children, should take advantage of area cooling centers, such as St. Robert City Hall and area senior centers. Murray said some cooling centers are generally not open on the weekends and, instead, people should visit any local establishment that offers air conditioning, such as movie theaters and shopping centers.
“The best way to protect from the heat is to keep yourself out of the sun during the hottest times of the day, which is between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.,” Murray said.
Murray said the elderly and children are especially at risk of heat stress or heat exhaustion because their body temperatures have a harder time regulating to the heat. Murray said children's core body temperatures rise three to five times faster than adults.
Doug Cramer, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said today would see a high temperature of about 90 degrees and a maximum heat index of about 102. Cramer said Saturday and Sunday are both expected to be highs of 93 degrees with maximum heat indexes of 102.
“It could be worse,” Cramer said. “This time of year could be up to 110 (maximum heat index).”
Cramer said the National Weather Service generally issues heat advisories when the heat index gets up to 105. The service has not issued a heat advisory warning for Pulaski County as of Thursday evening.
Signs and symptoms of heat stress or heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, increasingly pale complexion, muscle cramps, dizziness, headache, exhaustion or weakness, fainting and nausea or vomiting.
The department stated that groups especially at risk include the elderly, chronically ill, children under 4 years old and anyone who works vigorously outdoors.
Residents are encouraged to take precautions against heat-related illnesses by:
• drinking plenty of water to keep hydrated;
• avoiding strenuous work or exercise outside during the hottest times of the day;
• wearing light-colored, loose fitting clothing;
• avoiding drinks containing alcohol or caffeine;
• never leaving infants, children or pets in a parked vehicle;
• avoiding sitting directly in front of a fan because they can actually increase the body temperature;
• checking with a pharmacist or doctor to find out if any medications currently being taken have an increased risk of heat-related illnesses; and
• avoiding hot foods and heavy meals.
For more information on the nearest available cooling center, visit http://gis.dhss.mo.gov/Website/coolingCenter/coolingCenter.html#.
