The National Weather Service has predicted there to be dangerously high heat this upcoming weekend, for the next several days temperatures will be in the triple digits, and as a result the county is in preparation to issue an emergency heat alert. The County’s Office of Emergency Management has been observing Montgomery County today, and has urged residents to take proper precautions to safeguards themselves from heat related illnesses such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and hyperthermia.
This severe heat threat affects the body’s ability to regulate temperature, which can create dangerous conditions if appropriate safety measures are not taken. Heat may affect air quality, especially in urban areas, and may have a stronger impact on the elderly, children and sick persons.
On account of the severe weather threat homeless shelters will operate under a hyperthermia alert, and allow residents to return to the shelter after work or daytime activities.
Hot Weather Safety Tips
- Stay indoors, whenever possible. Visit nearby air-conditioned buildings in your community, if your home is not air-conditioned.
- Be careful to avoid strenuous activities that can result in overexposure to the sun, such as sports and gardening. If you must do a strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning before 9 a.m.
- Drink plenty of water. Dehydration, cramps, exhaustion or heat stroke can result from not drinking enough fluids. Water is the safest liquid to drink.
- Avoid drinks containing alcohol or caffeine.
- When outdoors, wear proper protection from the sun. Light-colored clothing, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen protection are strongly recommended.
- Never leave pets, young children, or the elderly in a vehicle for ANY amount of time, even with the window open, because the temperature inside parked cars can reach 130 degrees in only a few minutes.
The heat is causing Montgomery Parks to cancel activities, including Brookside Gardens’ butterfly exhibit and Saturday’s outdoor opera. The ‘Wings of Fancy’ live butterfly exhibit will close today at 1 p.m. The outdoor opera at the Warner Circle Special Park scheduled for Saturday, July 21 is rescheduled for Saturday, September 14.
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