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Extreme heat facts and tips for coping in Phoenix.
Weldon B. Johnson/azcentral.com
Wochit
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The heat can kill. When temperatures outside reach 100 degrees, temperatures inside a car can get up to 138 degrees in 5 minutes and 150 degrees in 15 minutes. Here are ideas on how to reduce the risk of forgetting about a child or pet in a hot car.
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It’s a dry heat, right? Not necessarily – find out what other misconceptions people have about our weather in the Valley of the Sun.
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The Salvation Army has set up heat-relief stations around the Valley, providing water and sometimes sunscreen for people out and about in the high temperatures. Tom Tingle/azcentral.com
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Extreme heat facts and tips for coping in Phoenix
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Salvation Army provides heat relief in Phoenix area
It’s easy to be overcome by the heat when temperatures soar in the Phoenix area.
Heat-related illness doesn’t always hit suddenly. It comes in stages, so people should be aware of what to look for in themselves and others.
Here are some of the signs to watch out for during periods of extreme heat.
Sweating
Sweat is normal. It cools the body through evaporation.
When sweat doesn’t cool the body enough, people can suffer heat-related illnesses.
Thirst
Be sure to drink water.
Most people need at least two liters, or about two quarts, per day when it’s hot. By the time you feel thirsty, you’re already mildly dehydrated.
Drinking water at this stage of heat-related illness can head off more serious symptoms.
Cramping
Cramps are muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion. The loss of water and salt from heavy sweating causes heat cramps.
Heat exhaustion
Heat exhaustion typically occurs when people exert themselves in warm, humid places where sweat doesn’t evaporate efficiently. Fluid loss causes blood flow to decrease in the vital organs, resulting in a form of shock.
Signs include cool, moist, pale, flushed or red skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal.
Heat stroke
Heat stroke, the most serious form of heat-related illness, is life-threatening.
The body’s temperature control system stops working. Body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly
Signs include hot, red and dry skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; rapid, shallow breathing and seizures. Body temperature can be very high (up to 105 degrees).
Source: Arizona Department of Health Services
READ MORE:
How St. Vincent de Paul helps people survive heat
Swim warning: Beware diarrhea-causing parasite
County seeks donations to cool dogs in shelters
County heat-related death count rises to 4 from 2
Phoenix weather: We could hit 120 degrees soon
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