As temps soar, caution urged
By John Peters
Editor
With temperatures forecast to hit triple digits over the next few days, health care officials are warning folks to take it easy, especially in the mid-afternoon when temperatures climb to their peak.
“People should do most of their activities in the morning and after sundown,” said Dr. Richard Gross with the Rural Health Group in Littleton. He said any time temperatures start climbing into the 90s, people need to be more attentive to proper hydration and staying cool.
With highs expected to hit 100 today and again Thursday, according to the National Weather Service, it is even more important for people to take in plenty of fluids.
“Stay in air conditioning whenever possible,” Dr. Gross said. “And keep hydrated.”
He said once temperatures climb this high, the body might need as much as double the normal amount of fluid intake for every three degrees the temperature climbs.
“A lot of this is common sense,” he said. “The major thing, of course, is hydration, drinking plenty of water or even extra sports drinks such as Gatorade is helpful.
“And, people certainly, unless absolutely necessary, should not be working out in temperatures over 95 degrees at all.”
While not able to avoid the high temperatures all together, area folks involved in outdoor work are doing what they can to heed Dr. Gross’ advice.
Scott McCullough, a local builder, said his crews have started working an hour earlier in the morning, at 6:30, so they can leave by 2:30 p.m. “They avoid some of the afternoon heat,” he explained.
Jimmy Best, a Roanoke Rapids man who was doing construction work on the new Subway shop being built on North Carolina 903 near Food Lion, said he is doing what he can to take precautions.
“I’m drinking a lot of fluids,” he said. “More water than normal, Gatorade, just drinking more.”
‘There’s not much you can do other than drink a lot more water,” said Billy Moss, of Gaston, who was working on the same site as Best. “You sweat more, you just have to drink more,” he said.
Construction workers aren’t the only people who have to worry about the heat.
Shannon Smiley, at the John 3:16 Center in Littleton, said they are keeping an eye on the temperatures as they plan activities for the day camp kids at the Center.
“As it gets hotter during the day, we do water games,” she said. “That helps keep the kids cools. Those who decide not to get wet, we keep them inside,” she said. “On days when it’s cooler, we let them stay out on the porch, but this week they’re coming inside.”
Even playing water games, she said the staff is keeping a closer eye on the children.
“We watch them to see if the heat’s affecting them,” she said. ‘We keep coolers of ice water out there. If anyone starts to feel too hot, we bring them inside, make sure they get water or Gatorade, make sure they have time to cool down.”
That’s the advice Dr. Gross has for people who think they are getting overheated.
“If someone experiences dizziness, a lack of perspiration, or nausea, they must stop what the are doing and get in out of the heat,” he said, adding they need to continue, or start, drinking fluids to recover.
“If they begin to have muscle cramps, severe nausea, vomiting, or the inability to function properly, they need medical attention immediately.”
