Heat, air quality warnings issued for region

The air in the region is about to get a whole lot hotter, and a whole lot harder to breathe.

Montgomery County has issued a “code red” hot weather warning and the state has issued a “code orange” warning for ozone.

The code orange is for Saturday and is issued for Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. Code Orange represents unhealthy pollution levels for sensitive groups of people.

Those groups include young children, the elderly, and those with respiratory problems, such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis. They are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution and should limit outdoor activities.

The Air Quality Action Day is based on Saturday’s forecast: sunshine for most of the day, with light southwest winds, high temperatures expected in the lower to mid-90’s. These conditions will create robust ozone formation.

Area residents and businesses in the area are strongly encouraged to voluntarily help reduce air pollution by:

• Conserving electricity by setting air conditioning to a higher temperature;

• Combining errands to reduce vehicle trips;

• Limiting engine idling; and

• Refueling cars and trucks after dusk.

The heat can be as dangerous as the poor air quality.

After reviewing the weather forecast, Montgomery County issued the code red warning starting Sunday, July 19 through Wednesday, July 22.

Heat index values will be at or above 100 degrees between noon and 6 p.m. each of those days.

Those, especially at risk, are very young children, elderly adults, and people with chronic medical conditions, and who take certain medications. Friends, relatives, or neighbors should check on people who may be at risk.

Such conditions can be deadly, and residents should take precautions to prevent heat-related stress and exhaustion.

Here are some helpful tips on how to alleviate the effects of the hot weather:

• Drink plenty of nonalcoholic, non-caffeinated fluids.

• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.

• If at all possible, try to get outdoor work completed during the morning to avoid the warmest part of the day.

• Keep windows and interior doors open when running a fan at home.

• Keep cool by seeking an air-conditioned building if available. If not, seek rest in the shade.