Health officials stress the importance of taking precautions in extreme heat

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Health officials want to stress the importance of taking proper precautions in the extreme heat, especially when temperatures near the triple digits.

MU Health Care Emergency Medicine Physician Christopher Sampson says it's important to drink plenty of water when out in hot weather.

"Proper precautions to take when it's really really hot out is to make sure you're well hydrated," Sampson said. "Making sure before you even go out, you've had enough to drink, that you're not already starting behind and are thirsty."

He recommends sticking to water as other drinks such as sports drinks are high in sugar.

"You don't really need all that sugar," Sampson said. "If you do want a little bit of flavoring, you can always drink a watered down sports drink."

Sampson says people in certain groups are at a higher risk of being affected by the heat.

"People who can be at an increased risk are people who have medical conditions such as diabetes because your high blood sugar can make you urinate more frequently so you can get dehydrated more easily," Sampson said. "Really small children or much older adults...sometimes they lack the ability to thermal regulate and cannot tolerate the heat."

Sampson says people on blood pressure medications, anyone who works outside and the homeless population can also be at a higher risk of being affected by the heat.

There are multiple cooling centers in Columbia including the ARC which is open seven days a week.

Cooling Centers in Columbia

• Columbia Boone County Health Department - 1005 W. Worley Street
  • Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Boone County Government Center - 801 E. Walnut Street
  • Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Salvation Army & Harbor House - 1108 W. Ash Street or 602 N. Ann Street