Dangerous heat wave to roast Miami Valley
People and pets need to eat healthy, stay hydrated and inside.
The Dayton area is heading into it first extreme heat wave this year as the heat index is expected to reach more than 100 degrees.
Temperatures in the mid-90s are expected today with an excessive heat watch going into effect Friday at noon through Saturday at 8 p.m. The heat index values in the Miami Valley during this time will be around 105 degrees.
“When temperatures are into the 90s and you factor in heat and humidity, that’s when we can see heat index values up into the hundreds,” said Storm Center 7 Meteorologist Molly Coates. “It is going to be very important to take heat precaution.”
The average temperature for this time of the year is in the mid80s around 84 degrees, Coates said.
Health officials are warning people, especially the elderly, to stay indoors in a cool area or drink a lot of fluids when they are outside to avoid heat exhaustion.
“Heat exhaustion can give people headaches, dizziness, they stop urinating or their urine turns dark yellow. They are normally excessively sweating,” said Dr. Jeremy Moore of Miami Valley Hospital. “A step further from heat exhaustion would be a heat stroke, which is when people have altered mental status, and they stop sweating. If you see someone with these symptoms, they need medical attention as soon as possible.”
During these extreme temperatures, health officials recommended people cut out caffeinated drinks, sugary drinks, and alcohol because they are dehydrating. High sodium foods should also be avoided.
Those who need a cool place to escape the heat can go to the Washington Twp. Recreation Center, a designated cooling center, Thursday and Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.
During those times, the public may access common areas within the facility at 895 Miamisburg-Centerville Road to escape the heat, recharge smart phones or use bathrooms, according to
the center’s Facebook page.
“You never know who may be affected if air conditioning goes out so this allows those people to have a place to walk in and cool off,” said Mark Metzger, facilities director of the Washington Twp. Recreation Center.
People who are required to work outside should wear lighter clothing and constantly stay hydrated with water or drinks like G2 Gatorade that contain electrolytes, Moore said.
“Usually the extreme ends of the ages, less than 4 and older than 65 are more likely to suffer from these heat related issues. It’s very important to check on your elderly neighbors as much as possible, especially if they don’t have air conditioning,” Moore said.
Pet owners also need to take precautions this week to assure that their animals stay healthy and hydrated, according to the Humane Society of Greater Dayton.
Making sure pets have plenty of drinking water, keeping them in the shade as much as possible, avoiding high noon when taking them outside, never leaving them alone in the car in extreme heat, keeping home temperatures around 70 to 75 degrees and knowing the symptoms for heat stroke in animals are important for pet owners to keep in mind, according to the Humane Society.
Heat stroke symptoms include panting, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion, a rapid pulse, bright red gums or a blue tongue or lips. If a pet may have heat stroke, act immediately by putting them in a cool place and lowering their body temperature with cool, not icy water, Humane Society leaders said.