Southwest Arkansas Heat Advisory

It will come as no surprise to hear that most of the listening area is under a heat advisory. If you’ve so much as opened the blinds in your house over the last few weeks you’ve certainly felt it. It’s important to take extra precautions if you are outside during these scorching days. The combination of air temperature and humidity can be a recipe for disaster when spending extended periods of time outside. The “heat index” often heard of refers to a single value that takes both air temperature and humidity into account. The higher the heat index, the hotter the weather feels since sweat does not readily evaporate and cool the skin. Outdoor activities such as mowing, gardening, or honey-do lists can often lead to dangerous illness if not done so properly prepared. Water is your best friend on a hot day. Nothing else compares. Stay hydrated so as to prevent heat-related illnesses. Cramps and muscle spasms are often early indicators that you’ve gone too long without water and probably overworked yourself. Get to a cool area and drink water. Other threats include Heat Exhaustion happens when fluids aren’t adequately replenished. Often a victim to heat exhaustion will continue to sweat while experiencing extreme weakness, fatigue, nausea or headache. And last, Heat stroke occurs when the body fails to regulate its own temperature. If you or someone with you experiences confusion, loss of consciousness, or hot dry skin. It’s time to move to a cool area and call for medical assistance. It’s important to note that while kids may seem immune to the summer heat whether they realize it or not they too need to stop and take breaks. So keep the water flowing and the popsicles handy and before long we might just make it to fall.