Use caution and stay cool when weather is hot

Florence - The sun and humidity were already creating sauna-like conditions before 9 a.m. Friday and Bill Thomas made a bee-line to his water cooler as he finished mowing the lawn at a Florence

restaurant.

"It's hot, no doubt about it," Thomas said as he filled a plastic bottle with water and added a package of Sqwincher electrolyte replacement mix. "The heat doesn't bother me; it's the humidity that gets you."

High humidity and temperatures in the upper 90s combined to make it feel like it was 102 degrees at 3 p.m. Friday in the Shoals.The sweltering mix is expected to send the heat index above 100 degrees again today.

The actual temperature in the Shoals is expected to be about 10 degrees above normal each day through at least Thursday.

"You definitely have to learn how to pace yourself when working outside when the weather is like this," said Thomas, who operates a lawn care

business.

Working outside for the past 20 years has helped Thomas become acclimated to the hot Tennessee Valley

summers.

But he's not immune to brutally hot conditions caused when the heat index tops 100 degrees.

Robert Boyd, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Huntsville, said the hot, humid weather shows no signs of waning. "It looks like it's going to stay this way for a long time."

Daytime temperatures in the upper 90s, with nighttime lows in the 70s and high humidity are forecast through Thursday.

Boyd said when temperatures and humidity levels soar like this, people who work or exercise outside must use caution to avoid being overcome by the heat.

"If possible, people need to schedule any outdoor activities early in the morning when its a little cooler," he

said. "They need to take frequent breaks and drink plenty of fluids. When it's this hot, you can overstress yourself very fast."

The elderly, children and people with chronic health problems, such as heart disease, are most prone to heat-related illnesses. They should be checked on often to make sure they are not overcome by the hot conditions.

Pets should also be checked often to ensure they have a cool place to relax and a supply of fresh water, Boyd said.

"Hopefully everyone's air conditioner will keep working. When it's as hot as it's going to be the next week or so, you are really going to need a good air conditioner," he said.

Dennis Sherer can be reached at 740-5746 or dennis.sherer@timesdaily.com.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Tips for beating the heat

Drink more (nonalcoholic) fluids, regardless of your activity level. Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink. Warning: If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask him how much you should drink while the weather is hot.

Don't drink liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar - these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.

Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the shopping mall or public library. Even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat. Call your local health department to see if there are any heat-relief shelters in your area.

Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath, or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.

Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.

Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle.

Source: Centers for Disease Control