How to stay safe and cool through continuing heat waves this summer
AccuWeather's preparedness expert, Tom Bedard, breaks down the most important things to keep in mind to stay safe in the heat.
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00:00 As temperatures climb, extreme heat remains a threat to people enjoying some time outside,
00:06 especially with all the outdoor activities.
00:08 The National Park Service said that in June, more people have died from extreme heat in
00:14 national parks than normally would during a typical calendar year.
00:18 And as millions face triple-digit heat, AccuWeather meteorologist and preparedness expert Tom
00:22 Bedard joins us to talk about what we need to know to stay safe.
00:26 Hey, Tom, I'm wondering a lot about camping.
00:29 It seems like it's so challenging for those that want to get out, enjoy some time as we've
00:34 kind of learned from COVID, getting out and about.
00:38 How do we stay safe, especially when it comes to heat and camping?
00:42 It is really challenging this year.
00:44 We have seen records broken all over the place.
00:46 So the traditional approaches to going out and just getting through it don't work this
00:51 year.
00:52 It all starts with acclimation, Melissa, being out there in the heat a couple of days, weeks
00:56 ahead of it so that you're used to that heat and it's not your first shot to the system
01:00 as you head up the trail.
01:02 Even being outdoors, sitting in the sun like that individual just sitting there is kind
01:07 of dangerous because you may not be exposed to the heat.
01:09 We are all out in air conditioning most of the time.
01:12 So going out, you need to have good shade and be prepared for what that heat and humidity
01:17 is going to do to you.
01:20 Now I know a lot of us have family and especially for the little ones.
01:23 Are there any extra things that we can do to keep our young children safe since they
01:29 tend to be more sensitive and including the elderly too, but focusing on both of our family
01:34 ties?
01:35 Yeah, that's a great question to ask.
01:38 A lot of cities are making municipal resources available.
01:41 The key to those who are young or old or predisposed to heat-related emergencies is getting into
01:46 an area with cooler air, whether that is a city bus that's air conditioned, libraries,
01:52 city buildings, or getting someplace where you simply have some water to cool off.
01:56 Make use of what resources the cities have available so that you can stay in a cooler
02:00 environment.
02:01 If you can't avoid the heat because it will eventually pass, even though it doesn't feel
02:04 that way, do avoid the heat, especially Melissa, if you are one of those populations that you
02:09 just mentioned.
02:11 Real quickly, what about our pets?
02:14 Keep them off of that hot blacktop or hot cement.
02:18 If the surface is too hot for the back of your hand, too hot for them to be there.
02:23 Keep them cool, keep them hot.
02:24 Same thing with us.
02:25 Make sure you can keep them in the shade and keep them hydrated.
02:29 All great tips there as we continue to talk about this heat through summer.
02:34 We know here in Wichita, it's hot there too, so stay cool, Tom, and thanks for joining