By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
We aren't even to the dog days of summer yet, but already temperatures are beginning to rise into the upper 9o's this week.
American Red Cross spokeswoman Angie Springs says with the heat, maybe the most important rule to follow, is be sure to stay hydrated.
"Drinking lots of water can help you throughout the day during times when it's so hot, and not gulping water often times people think they need to just drink a lot of water all at once, it's sipping water throughout the day to stay hydrated," Springs tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.
Springs says with the excitement of getting back out after being stuck inside during the pandemic, people may not take the heat as seriously.
"Excited to get outside, you know what we have kids that are at the ball field a lot right now, hottest part of the day perhaps playing ball, or wanting to get out to the golf course maybe or to go to the local swimming pool," she says. "Again, hottest parts of the day try to avoid it, wear your hat, wear your sunscreen."
Springs says the hottest parts of the day is when you should try to stay out of the heat, trying to get your outside work done when its cooler in the mornings.
Temperatures this week are expected to get as high as 98 degrees. Today is expected to be the hottest day. The high tomorrow is forecast to hit 97 with 95 on Wednesday. A dip below 92 is expected on Thursday, with 91 on Friday.
According to the National Library of Medicine, extreme heat causes more deaths than any other weather-related hazard, killing 12,000 people in the U.S. each year. In addition, the CDC says more than 65,000 visit an emergency room due to the heat.
Springs says while those high numbers are unfortunate, people continue to go out because life doesn't stop just because of high temperatures.
"Just because it is hot outside doesn't mean that we can't not mow the grass, or we can't be outside working, you know we have ball games that are still happening, outdoor activities that still go on," Springs explains. "Which is fine, as long as we take the proper precautions, wear light weight clothing."