Still have heat wave here

To see if your state is included in an excessive heat warning or advisory, click here. For information on keeping you, your children, your neighbors and your pets safe and healthy during the extreme heat, click here.

Excessive heat warning in effect for several southeastern states

(source/NOAA)

Heat is the number one weather-related killer, so say experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Something to remember, now that the NOAA has issued heat warnings for Ala., Miss., and parts of Georgia and other neighboring states.
According to WAFF in Huntsville, an excessive heat warning remains in effect through 8pm Wednesday, as temperatures are expected to exceed 100 degrees Tuesday and Wednesday.
This kind of oppressive heat can lead to heat illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke and even death, with 162 heat-related deaths reported on average, per year, over a 10-year period. (By contrast, hurricanes claim an average of 117 lives; lightning, 48.)
Excessive heat warnings are used for conditions posing a threat to life or property. (An advisory is for less serious conditions that cause significant discomfort or inconvenience and, if caution is not taken, could lead to a threat to life and/or property.)
Here are ways to ensure your children’s safety during these warnings:

• Make sure your child’s safety seat and safety belt buckles aren’t too hot before securing your child in a safety restraint system, especially when your car has been parked in the heat.
• Never leave your child unattended in a vehicle, even with the windows down.
• Teach children not to play in, on or around cars.
• Always lock car doors and trunks–even at home–and keep keys out of children’s reach.
• Always make sure all children have left the car when you reach your destination. Don’t leave sleeping infants in the car ever!

Remember, a car’s internal temperature can hit 123 degress in just one hour when it is just 80 degrees outside.
Here is what the NOAA suggests adults do to stay stafe during heat warnings and advisories:

• Slow down: Reduce, eliminate or reschedule strenuous activities until the coolest time of day.
• Dress for summer: Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing to reflect heat and sunlight.
• Put less fuel on your inner fires: Foods, like meat and other proteins that increase metabolic heat production also increase water loss.
• Drink plenty of water or other non-alcohol or decaffeinated fluids: Your body needs water to keep cool. Drink plenty of fluids even if you don’t feel thirsty.
• During excess heat, spend more time in air-conditioned places: Air conditioning in homes and other buildings markedly reduces danger from the heat.
• Don’t get too much sun: Sunburn reduces your body’s ability to dissipate heat.
• Do not take salt tablets unless specified by a physician.

Remember to also check on senior friends, family and neighbors. They are also vulnerable to the heat, as are our four-legged friends.