The Dog Days of August are upon us, but there is relief in sight, but not today…as the National Weather Service issued a heat advisory again today.
A Heat Advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is
expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity
will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are
possible. Drink plenty of fluids…stay in an air-conditioned
room…stay out of the sun…and check up on relatives and
neighbors.
Take extra precautions…if you work or spend time outside. When
possible…reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or
evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat
stroke. Wear light weight and loose fitting clothing when
possible and drink plenty of water.
To reduce risk during outdoor work…the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks
in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by
heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke
is an emergency…call 9 1 1.
There is good news, as this latest heat wave is expected to move out of the area with a chance of rain Friday, which is expected to cool temperatures into the 80s throughout the weekend.
But in the meantime remember the phrase believed to be coined by Rudyard Kipling and memorialized by Englishmen Noel Coward, who wrote the song; Mad Dogs and Englishmen in 1931.To paraphrase the line; “only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the noon day sun.” He may have been inspired by Kipling’s novel, Kim, written in 1901. Kipling wrote, “only the devils and the English walk to and fro without reason…and we walk as though we were mad or English.”
The bottom line, it’s best to stay in air conditioning through the heat of the day.
