Beat the heat this week

Posted by Jill Russell on July 28, 2009 at 11:14 am

By Jill Russell

COOLING OFF. Ariel Saumani, 2, finds a way to cool off on July 28 at Jefferson Park in Tacoma.

For the remainder of the week, the South Sound will be a sweltering inferno. The National Weather Service predicts temps to max out in the high 90s, with the hottest day being on Wednesday - upwards of 99 degrees! Local agencies, organizations and businesses have joined forces to help communities beat the heat. All 17 Pierce County Libraries have opened their doors as a free oasis to cool off. The libraries are also promoting their annual youth Summer Reading challenge, which offers incentives like free zoo passes and electronics to children and teens who meet their reading goals.

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department is also issuing a heat warning throughout the county. The most vulnerable groups are elderly and children. The Center for Disease Control estimates that approximately 688 people die each year from exposure to extreme heat.
Some symptoms of heat exhaustion are fatigue, headache, muscle cramps, nausea or vomiting, dizziness or fainting
Symptoms of Heatstroke are high body temperature (>103ºF), rapid, strong pulse, red, hot and dry skin, throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea, or confusion.
If you are going to partake in the sunshine, the department wants to remind residents to drink plenty of water, wear lightweight clothing, or just simply stay indoors and use air-conditioning when possible.

For more information about keeping children or pets cool in the heat, visit the health department’s website at http://www.tpchd.org