Firefighters, doctors offer ways to beat the heat

This weekend saw some sizzling temperatures and it’s not the last time mid-Missourians will swelter in the heat this summer so doctors and first-responders are hoping to give people some ways to beat the heat.

Firefighters often work hot fires on very hot days they’re aware of what they need to do to stay cool and safe, as do construction workers and landscapers, to name a few.

“They hydrate very well,” said Gale Blomenkamp with the Boone County Fire Protection District. “You can’t hydrate the day of, you have to hydrate several days before.”

He said people will normally see more law enforcement and first responders on the job because it takes more people than it normally would to do a job when it’s this hot out.

“On an afternoon like today we’re going to need extra people out there because we’re going to have to cycle our people a lot quicker,” he said.

But for people who aren’t used to the hot temperatures, who may just be going out to plant the garden, Blomenkamp, as well as Dr. Joni Bramon with Providence Urgent Care really recommend drinking water frequently.

I generally have people avoid concentrated sugary drinks,” Bramon said. “I like Gatorade, but avoid sodas. Sometimes I’ll dilute Gatorade and make it half water, half Gatorade.”

Blomenkamp said drinking the water will make sure your body can keep producing sweat, which keeps you cool.

He also recommended drinking about a gallon of it a day, even more so when its 90 degrees out.

Bramon said staying out of the sun between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. is the best way to avoid getting overheated or getting heat stroke. She said working outside in the early morning or evening is ideal.

Elderly people and young kids are the most susceptible to the hot temperatures, so generally they should stay indoors when it gets this hot.

People with a serious medical condition should also stay indoors as well, Blomenkamp said. The heat could exacerbate the condition.

The symptoms of heat stroke can be nausea, a change in vision, cramps or vomiting. If someone is suffering from these symptoms, Blomenkamp said they should call 911 immediately and get that person out of the heat.

“Be aware of yourself and then take care of your family members,” said Blomenkamp. “Know what your neighbors are doing, check on your family if your outside, make sure you’re keeping an eye on them.”

Bramon also said pets need to be watched closely as well and most shouldn’t be out in the heat longer than humans.

“Pets should have a cool place in the yard if they’re going to be outside,” she said. “Make sure there’s plenty of fresh water because it does evaporate.”