Hot temperatures expected all week throughout Mid-Missouri

Many areas of Mid-Missouri finally saw some sunshine over the weekend. With the sun came much warmer temperatures as well.

High temperatures reached the low 90s in Columbia Sunday and are expected to climb even higher throughout the week.

“The people that we see most affected are either the very young or the very old,” said Gale Blomenkamp, Boone County Fire Protection District Battalion Chief.”That’s because they can’t regulate their body temperature anymore or their body has not yet learned how to regulate.”

According to the Missouri Department of Health, between 1980 and 2013 there were 1,075 heat-related deaths in the state, averaging about 32 deaths per year. From 2000 to 2013, there were 358 heat-related deaths and half of those were to people 65 years or older.

Blomenkamp said it’s important for people to check in on their neighbors during hot weather.

“Most heat related deaths occur in permanent structured housing that’s not air conditioned,” he said. “So once that temperature reaches 95 degrees, typically a fan is not enough to cool your body off.”

Young children also have higher chances of overheating their bodies in hot temperatures.

Beth Dixon, a mother of two young daughters, has plans for the rest of the week to make sure her girls aren’t out in the sun for too long.

“We’re going to be going to the spray park a lot and we have a baby pool in our backyard that we’ve been spending a lot of time in,” she said. “Going to the library a lot and staying inside. Just trying to keep them as comfortable as possible in this hot weather.”

Dixon said when her daughters are playing outside, she has them come inside for a break with water or juice boxes.

Blomenkamp said taking time out from the heat and hydrating is important for everyone.

“If you’re planning on being outside tomorrow you should have started hydrating yesterday,” he said. “So if you have a very hard work week ahead of you, you should be hydrating over the weekend to prepare for Monday.”

Blomenkamp said it’s best to drink 16 to 32 ounces of water per hour when working outside in the heat. Wearing loose, light-colored clothing and a wide brim hat will help keep the body cool as well.

Some signs of a heat-related illness include a high body temperature, dry or red skin, muscle cramps, nausea or vomiting and dizziness.

It’s important to always check the back seat before getting out of your car if you bring your pets or child along while driving. Cars can get to dangerously hot or even deadly temperatures in a matter of a few minutes. Here are some safety tips.