Hydration key to handling excessive heat

All of mid-Missouri is under a heat advisory through Saturday, meaning temperatures will be dangerously hot over the next few days.

According to the National Weather Service, hot and humid temperatures are expected this week and will hang around through Saturday. “Feels like” temperatures are expected to reach 105 degrees every day from Wednesday through Saturday.

The NWS says the combination of hot temperatures and high humidity can lead to an increase of heat-related stress and illness.

Signs of heat illness include headaches, dizziness and fatigue.

Children and elderly are more susceptible to becoming affected by the heat because of the way their body regulates temperature.

Hydrating is one of the best ways to stay safe, especially when staying indoors isn’t an option.

OSHA recommends outdoor workers drink four cups of water an hour.

Health experts also recommend avoiding caffeine, which can cause dehydration.

A popular rule for drinking water is eight glasses of water a day. When going through an extended heat wave, it’s important for people to continue to hydrate extra daily.

It’s also important to remember not to leave children or pets in cars, even for a few minutes. So far in 2017, 19 children have died after being left in cars. Temperatures can reach deadly levels in just a few minutes.