State Of Wisconsin
Department of Military Affairs
Division of Emergency Management
For more information contact: Tod Pritchard, WEM Office: (608) 242-3324
Cell: (608) 219-4008
For Immediate Release
June 29, 2011
Wisconsin Heating Up
Near-record temperatures and humidity expected for holiday weekend
(MADISON) – Wisconsin Emergency Management and the National Weather Service
are urging state residents to protect themselves from the increased levels of heat and humidity forecast late this week and over the holiday weekend. Temperatures are
expected to rise to the upper-80s to mid-90s on Friday and reach the 80s over the July 4th weekend, and stay warm at night.
In 1995 two major killer heat waves affected most of Wisconsin, resulting in 154 heatrelated deaths and over 300 heat-related illnesses. Summer heat waves have been the biggest weather-related killers in Wisconsin for the past 50 years, far exceeding
tornadoes and severe storms.
To help keep cool this summer, here are some tips to keep safe in hot weather:
1. Never leave children, disabled persons, or pets in a parked car – even briefly. Temperatures in a car can become life threatening within minutes. On an 80-degree day, the temperature inside a car even with the windows cracked slightly can reach 100 degrees in less than 10 minutes!
2. Keep your living space cool. Cover windows to keep the sun from shining in. If you don’t have an air conditioner open windows to let air circulate. When it’s hotter than 95 degrees use fans to blow hot air out of the window rather than to blow hot air on your body. Basements or ground floors are often cooler than upper floors.
3. Slow down and limit physical activity. Plan outings or exertion for the early
morning or after dark when temperatures are cooler.
4. Drink plenty of water and eat lightly. Don’t wait for thirst, but instead drink plenty of water throughout the day. Avoid alcohol or caffeine and stay away from hot, heavy meals.
5. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing. Add a hat or umbrella to keep your head cool…and don’t forget sunscreen! 6. Don’t stop taking medication unless your doctor says you should. Take extra care to stay cool and ask your doctor or pharmacist for any special heat advice.
7. Infants should drink breast milk or formula to get the right balance of water, salts and energy. You may supplement your infant’s fluids with an additional 4 to 8 ounces of water per day, but don’t dilute formula beyond what the instructions say (unless instructed by your doctor).
8. Taking a cool shower or bath will cool you down. A shower or bath will actually work faster than an air conditioner. Applying cold wet rags to the neck, head and limbs also cools down the body quickly.
Symptoms of heat-related illness and what to do:
- Heat Cramps: cramps or muscle spasms in the abdomen, arms or legs.
Solution: Stop activity. Cool down, drink clear juice or sports drink.
- Heat Exhaustion: heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, fainting.
Solution: Cool down, seek medical attention.
- Heat Stroke: extremely high body temperature, red, hot, dry skin, rapid pulse, throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, unconsciousness.
Solution: Call 911 and cool the victim with shower or hose until help arrives.
(Courtesy: Wisconsin Department of Health Services)
