Heat Warning For RI, MA, CT Today, Friday

WARWICK — It’ll be hot the next few days, with a heat watch, heat warning and air quality alert infect today as temperatures rise into the low 90s.

The heat warning is in effect from noon till 8 p.m. today. With this heat warning, the National Weather Service warns of dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 105 expected. For the Excessive Heat Watch, dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 105 possible. That’s in effect from Thursday night till Friday night.

The heat warnings are in effect for portions of northern Connecticut, central, eastern, northeastern, southeastern and western Massachusetts and northern Rhode Island.

During the next few days, people in the affected areas will have an increased potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities, according to the NWS.

Tips: Beat the heat

To limit the risk of falling victim to the heat, the NWS and the RI Department of Health recommend:

• When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Drink more fluids than usual, and don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink more fluids. Avoid alcohol or liquids that contain high amounts of sugar.
• Check on friends and neighbors, particularly older adults and those who are caring for young children.
• Stay in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible. If you don’t have air conditioning at home, see the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA)’s list of municipal cooling centers in Rhode Island.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Add a hat if you must be outside.
• Limit outdoor activities, especially at mid-day. If you exercise outdoors, move your workout to a morning or evening time.
• If you work outside, wear sunscreen, pace your activity, stay hydrated, and check on co-workers.
• Take cool showers or baths to cool down, particularly if you’re unable to be in an air-conditioned location.
• Avoid turning on your oven, if possible. It will make your house hotter.
• Never leave young children or pets in parked cars, even with the windows down.
• If you have special healthcare needs, consider enrolling in the Rhode Island Special Needs Emergency Registry (RISNER). Enrolling in RISNER lets police, fire, and other first responders in your community better prepare for and respond to your needs during an emergency. When enrolling in the registry, a person provides information about their healthcare needs (for example, information about mobility issues, information about a visual or hearing impairment, information about the use of a life support system, such as a respirator). For more information or to enroll, visit health.ri.gov/emregistry or call 211/RI Relay 711.
• When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening.
• Wear light-weight and loose fitting clothing.
• During outdoor work, take frequent  breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments.
• Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency, call 911.

Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke

Heat Exhaustion symptoms include heavy sweating; weakness; cold, pale, or clammy skin; a fast or weak pulse; nausea or vomiting; and fainting.

Move to a cooler location, lie down, loosen clothing, sip water, and apply cool, wet cloths to help cool the body down. Seek medical attention if vomiting begins, or if symptoms get worse or last longer than one hour.

Heat Stroke symptoms include high body temperature (above 103 degrees F) combined with hot, red, dry, or moist skin; rapid and strong pulse; confusion; and loss of consciousness.

Heat stroke is a medical emergency. 911 should be called immediately. Individuals experiencing heat stroke symptoms should also be moved to a cooler environment. Apply cool cloths or place the person into a cool bath to lower body temperature. Fans and ice packs can also be used to cool someone. Ice packs should be placed on the neck, under the armpit, or in the groin area (because these are the areas where large arteries are closest to the surface of the skin).