Heat safety tips for July 4th and beyond

* Heat set to return: Full Forecast | Beach Forecast | NatCast *

The European weather model (ECMWF) shows an intense heat wave for much of the eastern U.S. Sunday into next week. The above graphic shows predicted temperatures for Tuesday at an altitude of about 5,000 feet. The dark red over the D.C. area represents upper 70s, which could translate to surface highs near 100. Image credit: College of DuPage

Another prolonged stretch of what looks to be highs in the mid-90s and higher is set to begin Sunday (July 4th) and last for much, if not all, of next week. While it may not be as epic as the heat waves of the 1930s, as CWG's Kevin Ambrose recently wrote about, this next round of heat is likely to keep firefighters and paramedics as busy as the first.

Here are some tips to keep you, your family and friends out of harm's way this holiday weekend and beyond...

From Alert DC...

CITIZENS ALERT MESSAGE FOR 4TH OF JULY 2010

In preparation of the July 4, 2010 weekend the DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency advises all residents and visitors to take note of the following precautions:

Avoid Heat Exhaustion/Heat Stroke: Understand the symptoms of heat illnesses. These include dizziness, extreme sweating, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, and cold or clammy skin. Symptoms that are more serious include nausea, vomiting, and fainting.

Keep reading for more heat tips...

Stay Hydrated:
o Limit your intake of beverages that contain high levels of alcohol or large amounts of sugar or caffeine-these actually dehydrate you cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks, as they can cause stomach cramps.
o Drink a lot of water!

Stay Cool: It is going to be hot. The national weather service is predicting the weather to be sunny and hot with a high of 97 °F
o Wear a hat & lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
o Try to rest often in shady areas.
o Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat (also keeps you cooler) and sunglasses and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (the most effective products say "broad spectrum" or "UVA/UVB protection" on their labels).
o Seek shade when possible and remember that the sun's UV rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Pay Special Attention to Others: Although any one at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others are.
• Monitor those at High Risk:
o Infants and young children
o People aged 65 or older
o People who have a mental illness
o Those who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure

Do not leave infants, children, or pets in a parked car.

In case of an emergency, dial 911. For general questions, or to report a problem, call the Mayor's Citywide Call Center at 311.

More tips:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
American Red Cross
Humane Society