Summer is here and is in full swing with temperatures on the rise throughout the week. The Federal Emergency Management Agency along with city officials are asking people to take precautions and to stay safe during the extreme heat.
“People need to stay safe this time of the year,” Barton County Health Department Public Health Educator Janel Rose said. “Children, older adults and people who work outside are at higher risk during days of extreme heat. Check on your neighbors, friends and family to make sure that they are doing well during heat waves. A short phone call or visit may help save a life.”
Something else that is very important to remember during these heat waves is that vehicles get extremely hot during this time of the year and extra precautions should be taken.
“Remember that cars can be deadly for children and pets left in them on hot days. Put items you need such as a cell phone, wallet, or purse next to your baby or pet so that you don’t forget to take them out of the vehicle as soon as you have parked.” Rose said.
She also mentioned that it is important to plan outside activities for early morning or later in the day, to avoid being outdoors from about noon to 5 p.m. when temperatures are usually highest and to drink plenty of water and avoid caffeine and sugary drinks on high heat days.
FEMA
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is urging residents across the region to take steps now to prepare their families and communities for extreme heat by reviewing important safety information.
The National Weather Service announced that “dangerously hot and humid conditions are expected this week across a large portion of the nation. Additionally, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center’s latest outlook notes that most of the continental United States is facing elevated chances of well-above-average summer temperatures.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heat kills more people than hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, earthquakes and floods.
FEMA also urges residents across the region to download and use the free FEMA app, which provides valuable safety tips to help families prepare for and recover from more than 20 natural and man-made hazards.
The FEMA app enables users to receive weather alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations across the nation, making it easy to follow severe weather that may be threatening family and friends.
The app also provides family communication plans, customizable checklist of emergency supplies, and maps of open shelters and disaster recovery centers. The app is available on the Apple App Store and on Google Play.
