Richland County Public Health and Richland County Emergency Management would like to remind you as you go out and enjoy Churnin’ Dirt and other outdoor events this weekend to be weather-aware and prepare for the extreme heat Thursday and Friday.
The following are recommended:
- Avoid prolonged exposure, particularly during the hottest part of the day, to these conditions.
- If such activity is unavoidable, drink plenty of fluids and take frequent breaks.
- Do not leave anyone – children, disabled individuals, pets – in cars for even brief periods. Temperatures can rise to life-threatening levels in a matter of minutes.
- Check on neighbors and friends to ensure the elderly and those with health problems have access to air conditioning.
- Use fans to increase ventilation. If the temperatures exceed 90° F, instead of having a fan blow hot air in from a window, have the fan blow the hot air to the outside. At extreme high temperatures, a fan loses its ability to effectively reduce heat-related illness.
- Cool showers, baths, and sponge baths can be used to reduce body temperatures. Wet clothing may also have a cooling effect.
- Find shelter and cool off immediately if you begin to feel dizzy, weak, nauseas, have a headache or experience muscle cramps.
If you or someone has hot dry skin, chest pains, is short of breath or confused, or loses consciousness, call 911.