Ten days of temperatures at or above 95 degrees are beginning to take their toll on area residents as a deadly heat wave moves across Grundy County and the state of Missouri.
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Ten days of temperatures at or above 95 degrees are beginning to take their toll on area residents as a deadly heat wave moves across Grundy County and the state of Missouri.
On Wednesday, county ambulance crews were called to Trenton Home Foods three times for heat-related illnesses and Ambulance Director Ron Bonnett said crews have responded to other heat-related calls as well. With a heat advisory issued by the National Weather Service through Friday, residents are being warned to not take the heat lightly.
In fact, as of Wednesday night, 18 persons across the state had died due to the heat, including five in St. Louis.
According to information provided by Grundy County Health Department Administrator Tammie Luchini, those at greatest risk for health-related illnesses are infants and children up to age four, persons age 65 or older, overweight persons, people who overexert during exercise or work and people who are ill or on certain medications.
Caretakers for children and those who are around the elderly should watch for the warning signs of heat exhaustion, which include heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, and/or fainting. The skin may be cool and moist and the pulse rate will be fast and weak and breathing will be fast and shallow.
Left alone, heat exhaustion may lead to heat stroke. Classic heat stroke occurs without exertion, generally among people at risk (such as the elderly, infants and those with chronic illnesses). Exertional heat stroke occurs in young, otherwise healthy adults who are engaging in rigorous exercise in the absence of heat acclimation (athletes, construction workers, etc.).
Health officials advise area residents to increase fluid intake, although drinks with caffeine, alcohol or large amounts of sugar should be avoided because they will actually cause the loss of more fluids. While very cold drinks may look inviting, they can cause stomach cramps.
Exercise, of course, should be limited and activities that must be conducted outside should be planned for early morning or evening.
Persons without air conditioning are advised to visit air conditioned areas such as the library, movie theater or grocery store for a while to keep their body temperature down in the middle of the day. In Galt, residents have been invited to the air-conditioned Galt Baptist Church during the day until the heat wave breaks.
Electric fans should not be relied upon during a heat wave, as they will not prevent heat-related illnesses during a period of upper 90 degree temperatures. Those using fans should remember that they should not be used in a closed room, but should be used to ventilate the room by pulling out hot air during the day and drawing in cool air at night. A limited number of fans are available through the Green Hills Community Action Agency, according to Service Center Director Diana Hoppe. Persons requesting the fans will be required to meet income guidelines.
Humans aren’t the only ones who need extra care during a heat wave. In many ways, animals are just like humans when it comes to those most vulnerable to the heat. It is the young, old, sick and overweight who are in the most danger. Flat-faced animals, such as Bulldogs, and those with big, hairy coats face added challenges and should be carefully monitored during the heat. If at all possible, pet owners should take dogs and cats into their air-conditioned homes. Otherwise, pet owners should at least be sure their animal has plenty of fresh water, is not chained up and is kept out of hot cars.
Even those who have the luxury of spending their days and nights in air conditioning are affected by the heat since utility bills will likely see an increase from the heavy use of air conditioners and electric fans during the past couple of weeks. Electric use has also been a concern to those who provide the utility.
Theresa Price, accounting supervisor at Trenton Municipal Utilities, said residents continue to be urged to observe a peak heat alert from 1 to 8 p.m., daily. During that time, consumers are encouraged to refrain from using large appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, etc. Lights, television and other items that use electricity should be turned off when not in use.
Missouri Public Service suggests that thermostats be set at 75 degrees or higher, preferably at 82 degrees. Blinds, shades and drapes should be kept closed during the hottest part of the day to keep rooms cooler.
The extended forecast is not particularly encouraging, as tonight’s low will only dip slightly to 75 or 80 and Friday’s high is expected to reach 95 or 100, with heat indices at 105 to 115. A small break is expected over the weekend, with highs near 90 and lows in the lower 70s.
by Ronda Lickteig