Hot weather expected over holiday weekend

Residents Should Take Precautions to Ensure Their Health and Well-Being

As residents head outdoors to enjoy the Fourth of July weekend, the City of Naperville reminds them to take precautions to ensure their health, safety and well-being during anticipated days of high heat, sun and humidity. According to the National Weather Service, temperatures in the Naperville area will reach 97 degrees on Friday, with temperatures in the upper 80s and lower 90s expected Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

“This weekend, many families will be celebrating our nation's independence by heading to local outdoor festivals, including Ribfest,” Community Relations Manager Nadja Lalvani said. “Extended time outdoors in the sun, heat and humidity can be dangerous. Please use common sense when spending time outside and take precautions to stay hydrated with water and natural juices. Periodic breaks in the shade are also recommended.”

The DuPage County Health Department offers the following tips to enjoy summer sun safely:

• While overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause temporary, painful sunburn, it can also lead to more serious, long-term, health problems such as skin cancer, premature aging, cataracts, eye damage and immune system suppression. Children are particularly at risk.

• Generously apply sunscreen. As a rule of thumb, it takes about one ounce to cover all exposed skin. This should be done 20 minutes before going outside. Sunscreen should have a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 and provide protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.

• Reapply sunscreen every two hours, even on cloudy days and after swimming or sweating.

• Wear protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts and pants, widebrimmed hats and sunglasses.

• Seek shade when possible and remember that the sun's UV rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

• Use extra caution near water or sand, which reflect the damaging rays of the sun and can increase your chance of sunburn.

• Check the UV index, which provides information to help you plan your outdoor activities in ways that prevent sun overexposure. The UV index forecast is issued daily by the National Weather Service and Environmental Protection Agency.

• Avoid sun tanning and tanning beds. The UV light from tanning beds and the sun cause skin cancer and wrinkling.

• For babies younger than six months, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding sun exposure and dressing infants in lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts and brimmed hats. Parents can also apply sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) to small areas like the face and back of the hands if protective clothing and shade are not available.

During hot weather, it is also important to become familiar with the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke and what to do if you or someone you know is suffering from either of these conditions. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include dizziness, nausea, light-headedness, headache, cool and clammy skin, heavy perspiration, shallow breathing, muscle tremors and cramping.

Additional symptoms for heat stroke, which can be fatal, include severe headache, a red and dry face, skin that is hot to the touch, rapid and shallow breathing, significantly elevated body temperature, weak pulse, changes in consciousness and seizures or cardiac arrhythmias. Any person suffering from these symptoms is in a life-threatening situation and 9-1-1 should be called immediately.

During periods of extreme hot weather, the elderly population, those taking medications for chronic illnesses and those with special needs are among the most vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. Well-being checks for these individuals should be performed frequently during hot weather.

The following are hot weather tips to protect yourself from heat-related illnesses:

• Stay in an air-conditioned space at home, the library, the mall, movie theater or at a cooling center.

• Drink lots of water and natural juices. Avoid alcoholic beverages, coffee and soft drinks.

• Keep shades drawn and blinds closed, but keep windows slightly open.

• Stay out of the sun and avoid going out in the heat.

• Keep electric lights off or turned down.

• Take cool baths or showers.

• Wear loose, light cotton clothing.

• Do not eat heavy meals. Avoid cooking with your oven.

• Avoid or minimize physical exertion.

• Do not sit in a hot car, even for a short time. Never leave a child or pet in a hot car.

• Check on family members, friends and neighbors to make sure they stay cool and safe.

• If you or anyone you know needs emergency medical attention, call 9-1-1.

• It is against the law to open a fire hydrant. An open hydrant hinders the fire department's ability to fight fires, reduces water pressure in your home and may cause basement flooding.

Residents should also familiarize themselves with terms pertaining to heat emergencies:

• An excessive heat watch means conditions are favorable for an excessive heat event to meet or exceed local excessive heat warning criteria in the next 12 to 48 hours.

• An excessive heat warning is issued within 12 hours of the onset of the following criteria: a heat index of at least 105°F for more than three hours per day for two consecutive days, or a heat index more than 115°F for any period of time.

• An excessive heat advisory means hazardous heat conditions have begun or will begin within 36 hours and, if caution is not exercised, they could become life threatening.

Special Keeping Cool Tips for Seniors

• During heat emergencies, seniors are urged to contact their local area agencies on aging or the Illinois Department on Aging Senior HelpLine at (800) 252-8966 for assistance with locating senior centers, adult day service sites and other buildings that serve as cooling centers.

• Humidity combined with temperature make up the heat index, which is similar to the wind chill factor in winter. If the temperature is in the 90s with high humidity, it can feel like it is more than 100 degrees.

Keeping Cool Tips for Your Pets

• Provide water and shelter from the sun at all times.

• Restrict activity during extreme heat.

• Never leave pets in parked vehicles. Even moderate heat rapidly increases and can kill the pet quickly.

Anyone needing assistance during a period of extreme heat should call City Dispatch at (630) 420-6187. For more information on the City of Naperville, visit www.naperville.il.us. Sign up to receive the latest news on the City of Naperville's projects and initiatives via e-mail at www.naperville.il.us/enews.aspx.