Dangerous heat: Doctors warn to stay safe during hottest days of the year so far

If you spend anytime outdoors, it's important to know how to keep yourself and your children safe.

Posted 12:00 p.m. Jul 28 — Updated 1:56 p.m. Jul 30

By

WRAL staff

WAKE COUNTY, N.C. — The week of July 23 saw the hottest days of 2023 so far.

A heat advisory is in effect Friday, July 28 at 11 a.m. through July 29 at 8 p.m. Highs will be in the upper 90s, nearing 100 degrees, but with the heat index it could feel between 105 and 109 degrees.

If you spend anytime outdoors, it's important to know how to keep yourself and your children safe.

Dr. Daniel Park with the pediatric department at UNC Hospitals says children are one of the groups that are most at risk for heat-related illnesses – as children's bodies lose their cooling mechanisms a lot faster than adults.

Staying safe in during dangerous heat

Dr. Park explained several ways to keep yourself and your family safe during dangerous heat.

Pre-hydrate. Even before you go outdoors, try to drink a glass or water or other non-caffeinated drinks with high electrolytes like Gatorade.
Hydrate more. Now keep on hydrating throughout the day! Your body is losing a lot of electrolytes and fluid while you sweat.
Symptoms. Look out for signs of heat=related illness, such as headaches, dizziness, pale skin, elevated heart rate, confusion.
Don't leave kids or pets alone in cars. Even if the window is cracked, it's just not safe to leave kids or pets alone in a parked car, where the temperatures can increase rapidly.
When you call 911. If your child gets overheated and doesn't respond to rapid cooling measures like a cold rag or putting them in front of a fan, it's time to call 911.
Stay indoors in air-conditioned spaces as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun.
Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible.
Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. Use a buddy system when working in extreme heat and take frequent breaks.

Risks of prolonged heat exposure

Doctor Anjni Joiner with Duke Health said people tend to discount the heat index when planning their days during the summer.

"People tend to discount the heat index or maybe not really look at the heat index because they're focusing more on the overall temperature," Joiner said. "So the heat index definitely takes into account the humidity, which as we know living in North Carolina, that's always an issue in the summertime."

Joiner says triple-digit heat over the span of several days can be life threatening.

"Some of the key warning signs to look out for are an elevated heart rate, excessive sweating," Joiner explained, adding that people should also be on the lookout for signs of confusion and disorientation.