Barrow County Emergency Services Reminds Residents to Stay Safe in Hot Weather

Did you know that heat-related emergencies are the number one weather-related killer in North America?

Heat-related incidents result in hundreds of fatalities each year — on average, excessive heat claims more lives than floods, lightning, tornadoes and hurricanes combined — and is reminding residents to stay safe in hot weather with these tips.  

• Always make sure your child’s safety seat and safety belt buckles aren’t too hot before securing the child in a safety restraint system, especially when your vehicle has been parked out in the heat.
• Never leave your child unattended is a vehicle, even with the windows down.
• Always make sure your child has left the vehicle when you reach your destination.
• Reduce, eliminate or reschedule your strenuous activities until the coolest time of the day.
• Wear light-weight, light colored clothing to reflect heat and sunlight.
• Drink plenty of water and nonalcoholic, decaffeinated drinks. Even if you don’t feel thirsty you should be drinking plenty of fluids to replace the fluids you lose when out in the heat.
• During the excessively hot times of the day try to spend time indoors in the air-conditioning.

A  will remain in effect through 9 p.m. today.

A heat advisory means a period of dangerous heat is expected, and a combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will create heat index readings of at least 105 degrees and warm overnight temperatures.

Heat index values peak during the afternoon through mid-evening. 

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