It’s going to be hot! Follow these tips to beat the heat
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Summer doesn’t start for another eight days, but dangerously hot weather is already here.
With a heat advisory in place Monday for much of the state and highs in the 90s expected through Thursday, it will be a struggle to stay cool.
The National Weather Service says there are a few ways to deal with dangerous heat:
- Stay in an air-conditioned place as much as possible
- If there’s no air conditioning at home, go to a mall, public library, or cooling center
- Drink plenty of water, avoiding sugary drinks and sodas
- Limit outdoor activity and take breaks in the shade or air conditioning
- Wear loose, light-colored clothing
- Wear sunscreen and sunglasses
- Check on elderly or ill friends and neighbors
- Never leave pets or children inside a vehicle
Learn the signs of heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. The people at highest risk include infants and young children, people over the age of 65, people who work or exercise outdoors, and people who are ill.
Most heat-related illnesses occur because of overexposure to heat or over-exercising, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Pets can also be affected by hot weather. Scorching surfaces can burn a dog’s paws. To find out if the ground is too hot to walk on, place your hand on the pavement for 10 seconds, the American Kennel Club says. If it’s too hot for a hand, it’s too hot for a dog.
Branches of the Indianapolis Public Library, Indy Parks facilities, and city pools and splash pads will be open for residents who want to escape the heat.
Need to find a cooling center? Visit the Indiana 2-1-1 website for a list of locations.