Breaking down heat safety
Heading deeper into Spring means an increase in the average high temperature. It is important to make sure to stay safe when outdoors working in hotter conditions. Making sure to drink 100 ounces of water a day is a great way to maintain hydration, especially in high humidity environments. Hydration is a key element in staying healthy.
In 2021 heat remained the number one weather killer doubling the second most deadly weather killer of floods with a total of 375 deaths in the United States.
In 2022, Columbia saw an increase of risky heat days by 12. A risky heat day is defined as any day that the average temperature exceeds the 90th percentile of average annual temperatures which sits at 78.5 degrees. This means an increase in warmer days where people could be more at risk for heat illnesses and deaths.
Another important tip to remember heading into the warmer season is to check your backseat before leaving your vehicle. Whenever a car is left off without A/C, the temperature increases greatly. Even with the air temperature only reaching 85 degrees outside, a closed in car with the A/C off could see temperatures rise to 119 degrees in just 30 minutes. After one hour, that temperature could increase to 128 degrees making for a potentially deadly situation for young children and pets.
