Heat Watch In Peoria

The National Weather Service of Central Illinois has issued an excessive heat watch for Peoria, Peoria County, Tazewell County, Woodford County, and other surrounding counties through Saturday evening. The heat watch notes that the effects of the heat tend to worsen the longer the heat continues, so public health officials in Peoria and Central Illinois are encouraging everyone to remain well hydrated, to stay out of the sun (especially in the afternoons), to remain in air conditioned environments, and, most importantly, to check in on friends and relatives.

This is a great time to remind yourself of the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, as provided by the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

Heat cramps are the first stage of heat illness. If these symptoms are not treated, it can lead to heat exhaustion and then heat stroke.

Heat stroke occurs when the body is no longer able to regulate its temperature, and it keeps rising. Heat stroke can cause shock, brain damage, organ failure, and even death.

The early symptoms of heat cramps include:

• Muscle cramps and pains that most often occur in the legs or abdomen
• Very heavy sweating
• Fatigue
• Thirst

Later symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

• Headache
  
• Dizziness, lightheadedness
• Weakness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Cool, moist skin
• Dark urine

The symptoms of heatstroke include (call 911 or the local emergency number right away):

• Fever -- temperature above 104°F (40°C)
  
• Irrational behavior
• Extreme confusion
• Dry, hot, and red skin
• Rapid, shallow breathing
• Rapid, weak pulse
• Seizures
• Unconsciousness

If you suspect someone might be suffering from heat stroke or heat exhaustion, the most important thing is to begin to cool their body:

If you think a person may have heat illness or emergency:

1. Have the person lie down in a cool place. Raise the person's feet about 12 inches (30 centimeters).
   
2. Apply cool, wet cloths (or cool water directly) to the person's skin and use a fan to lower body temperature. Place cold compresses on the person's neck, groin, and armpits.
3. If alert, give the person a beverage to sip (such as a sports drink), or make a salted drink by adding a teaspoon (6 grams) of salt per quart (1 liter) of water. Give a half cup (120 milliliters) every 15 minutes. Cool water will do if salt beverages are not available.
4. For muscle cramps, give beverages as noted above and massage affected muscles gently, but firmly, until they relax.
5. If the person shows signs of shock (bluish lips and fingernails and decreased alertness), starts having seizures, or loses consciousness, call 911 and give first aid as needed.

Follow these precautions:

• Do NOT give the person medications that are used to treat fever (such as aspirin or acetaminophen). They will not help, and they may be harmful.
• Do NOT give the person salt tablets.
• Do NOT give the person liquids that contain alcohol or caffeine. They will make it harder for the body to control its internal temperature.
• Do NOT use alcohol rubs on the person's skin.
• Do NOT give the person anything by mouth (not even salted drinks) if the person is vomiting or unconscious.

And, as noted above, please call 911 immediately if the person does not quickly improve, if they worsen, if their temperature continues to rise, or if you suspect heatstroke.

Please remember that prevention is always the better option. Stay cool, Peoria!,