Health Department Shares Heat Safety Reminders

Published on July 12, 2024

Excessive heat watch issued for July 14, 15

 

Update: The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a heat advisory from 1 to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 13. The excessive heat watch remains in effect for Sunday and Monday.


The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch for Lincoln and Lancaster County effective noon Sunday, July 14, until 8 p.m. Monday, July 15. Dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 112 degrees are possible. The NWS HeatRisk for Lincoln will be in the Major, or red category, which means this level of heat affects anyone without cooling or adequate hydration.

 

City Operations

There are no schedule changes planned for City pools, recreation and community centers.

 

High heat and humidity can cause heat-related illnesses. The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department urges residents to prepare for extreme heat and shares these reminders to help people stay safe as temperatures continue to rise:

 

Know your risk

Anyone can suffer from heat-related illnesses but some people are at greater risk than others including:

  • Infants, young children, pregnant people and older adults whose bodies are less able to adapt to heat
  • People with disabilities or certain health conditions (like heart disease, asthma, diabetes, obesity, and mental health conditions)
  • Outdoor workers and people who exercise outside
  • People without air conditioning or water to drink
  • Pets, service or support animals and livestock

 

Stay cool

  • Wear loose, light-colored clothing and sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) if you need to be outside.
  • Try to limit your outdoor activity to the coolest parts of the day or evening.
  • Rest frequently in shaded areas or air conditioned spaces.
  • Those without air conditioning can cool off during regular hours at recreation centers, libraries and senior centers (for adults age 60 and older). Other public locations such as theaters and shopping malls are also places where people can go to stay cool.

 

Stay hydrated

  • Drink plenty of water and don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink.
  • Limit alcohol and drinks with caffeine.
  • Monitor infants and children for fluid intake.

 

Check on others – people and pets

  • Check on relatives, neighbors and friends who may be a higher risk for heat-related illness or who live alone. Make sure they stay cool and hydrated.
  • Never leave children or pets in a parked car.
  • Pets can suffer from heat-related illness too. If your pet spends its days outside, make sure it has plenty of fresh water and shade. Check on pets frequently or bring them indoors if possible. If you see a pet in a hot car or outside without shade or water for an extended period of time, call Animal Control at 402-441-7900.

 

Stay informed

  • Know the signs. If your body gets too hot, you can get sick.

 

Heat exhaustion can develop following exposure for several days to high temperatures. Symptoms include rapid heartbeat, cold, pale clammy skin, nausea, dizziness, weakness, and fatigue.

 

Heat stroke, the most serious heat-related illness, is a medical emergency characterized by a body temperature of 103 degrees or higher. Symptoms include hot, red skin, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, confusion, passing out.

 

Those suffering from these conditions should be moved into the shade or air conditioning. If heatstroke or serious heat exhaustion is suspected, get emergency medical assistance.

 

  • Check the NWS website at weather.gov or your local media for weather updates. 

 

Additional extreme heat resources:

National Weather Service, Omaha/Valley Office – 7-Day Forecast 40.79N 96.71W (weather.gov)

National Weather Service, HeatRisk –NWS HeatRisk (noaa.gov)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention HeatRisk Dashboard – CDC.gov/heatrisk

Extreme Heat and Your Health – CDC.gov/extremeheat

Ready for Extreme Heat – Ready.gov/heat

National Integrated Heat Health Information System – Heat.gov

 

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