The National Weather Service has issued a advisories for the heat and air quality for most of the region on Tuesday with sunny skies and highs expected to be in the upper 90s. Figure in the heat index, and it will feel over 100.
New York State Department of Emergency Management has advised the county that a gradual warming trend has begun for our area and will continue throughout the week. Should this prediction hold true, Orange County Health Commissioner Dr. Jean Hudson advises citizens to take the following precautions:
- Drink more fluids. Don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body.
· Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun's energy. It is also a good idea to wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella and use a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher.
- Eat small meals and eat more often. Do not eat a lot of food high in protein, which increases metabolic heat.
- Slow down. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4 and 7 a.m.
· When temperatures are extreme, stay indoors, ideally in an air-conditioned place.
· Never leave anyone--a person or animal--in a parked vehicle.
· If you don’t have air conditioning at home visit the local library or mall, or call your municipality for other cool suggestions.
Check on your neighbors, particularly those who are elderly or who have young children. Although anyone at any time can suffer heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others. People aged 65 or older are particularly susceptible to heat-related illnesses and complications that can result during periods of high temperatures and humidity. Individuals with chronic respiratory illnesses, such as asthma or diabetes, may also find that their conditions worsen during these times.
Infants and young children are also at increased risk for complications in the summer heat. Reduce the amount of physical activity during hot and humid conditions and arrange outdoor play before 10 a.m. and after 2 p.m. to avoid the hottest sun of the day.
