With this week’s extreme heat, Manitowoc County’s Emergency Services Department is reminding residents how to stay safe.
Director Rhonda Green was on the WCUB Breakfast Club recently, where she explained the importance of staying hydrated and finding cool places wherever they may be.
Another important thing to do on super-hot days is to check on neighbors and friends who might not have access to cold air.
Monitoring your pets is also important.
Green encouraged pet owners to “Make sure, if you have an outside pet, like a dog that is chained up somewhere, make sure it has shade, (and) plenty of water.”
Green says people should drink bottled water on days like these and avoid drinks high in sugar, caffeine, or sodium.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says if you live in a place without air conditioning, it’s a good idea to cover windows with drapes, weather-strip doors, and add insulation to keep the heat out.
Green says it’s also important to watch for symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
“When you stop sweating, that’s a danger sign, that’s heat stroke,” she explained. “You need to immediately shelter, (and) get cooled down. You’ll have muscle cramping, shortness of breath, your heart will be pounding.”
More details to help you stay safe can be found on the heat’s preparedness page of manitowoccountywi.gov.
