HOW TO

We’ve already had several 90° (plus) days this summer. So now’s a good time to look at the differences between heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Once we familiarize ourselves with these differences, we’ll be able to spring into action if we come across someone who needs help.

Heat exhaustion isn’t as serious as heat stroke, but it can still be scary to deal with. There are two types of heat exhaustion: water depletion, where the person can be super-thirsty and weak. He or she might have a bad headache and can even pass out. The other type, salt depletion, can result in the person becoming nauseous and dizzy, with frequent muscle cramps. Even though he or she might be sweating, their skin could be cold and clammy. If heat exhaustion isn’t dealt with quickly it can progress to heat stroke, which is even worse.

Anyone suffering from heat exhaustion should be allowed to rest somewhere cool or in the shade. They should have any tight, uncomfortable clothing removed and they should be given something to drink (not alcohol or caffeine). Use fans and towels wrung out in ice water to further cool the person. If none of these methods don’t work within a half hour, get the person to the nearest emergency room.

Heat stroke can have the following symptoms: a high body temperature (104° or even higher); hot, dry skin (the person’s skin has already gone through the cold and clammy stage); no longer sweating; weak and vomiting; rapid, shallow breathing with an increased heart rate; and headache and confusion. As you can see by these symptoms, anyone with these symptoms is in real trouble—in addition, he or she might be incoherent and might even lose consciousness.

If you think someone is experiencing heat stroke, don’t waste time—call 911 immediately! People can die from heat stroke. While waiting for help to arrive, remove the person’s clothing if it’s too tight. Move him or her into the shade or into an air-conditioned room. Place ice packs or towels dipped in ice water around the neck, under the armpits, around the forehead, and in the groin area. If you’re not in an air-conditioned room, mist the person and turn on a fan.

Certain people are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses. The bodies of infants/toddlers up to age 4 and

people over age 65 can’t adjust to heat as easily as other folks, so precautions should be taken. Babies in strollers should be protected from direct sun on hot days and older adults should wear wide-brimmed hats or carry umbrellas (or parasols). Diabetics should be careful and people who take medication for high blood pressure should take precautions as well. Try to get all of your business taken care of in the morning, before the temperatures hit their peak (mid-afternoon).

Here are a few hints on beating the heat:

This works on hot and dry, not humid, days: If you’re trying your best not to run your air-conditioning, hang a damp sheet or towel in an open window. The incoming breezes will pass through the fabric and cool the air entering your home. (Be sure to check the fabric periodically to make sure it doesn’t dry out.)
Use this same concept with indoor fans: Let the air blow over a shallow bowl of ice. You’ll definitely feel cooler.
Keep your sun-facing blinds and curtains closed on hot days. You can actually reduce the amount of heat entering your home by 45 percent!
When you head outside, place a damp hand towel around your neck to keep you cool. Refresh yourself by periodically wiping your face with the towel.
Guys: Removing your shirt doesn’t really cool you off; you only end up baking your skin. Try wearing a loose cotton shirt that can release sweat but trap cooler air between your shirt and the hot outdoor air.
Trying to sleep on a hot night can be challenging, especially if you’d rather not run the AC or fans. Sprinkle a little water on your top sheet to cool you off.
Avoid heavy meals, which can really weigh you down when it’s hot. Substitute quick-to-digest tuna, chicken, and fish for beef, and increase your intake of fruits and vegetables.
Stay hydrated and drink lots of water. You can actually get dehydrated if you drink beverages with alcohol, caffeine, or lots of sugar. Try cooling off with a cup of hot tea, like they do in India and Brazil.

The hurricane season is here—in North Carolina, the season runs roughly from June 1 through the end of November. According to researchers at North Carolina State University, 14 to 18 tropical storms are expected to form around the Gulf of Mexico/Caribbean Sea this year. Seven to 11 might grow in strength and become hurricanes, depending on temperatures, wind factors, etc. When hurricanes roll up the east coast, the Outer Banks usually get hit hard, and the Triangle can get torrential rain and thunderstorms. Occasionally, tornados will form and cause serious damage.

As you would expect, people living in eastern North Carolina take heed of their local weather reports this time of year, and it’s a good idea to learn some of the terms related to hurricanes, just in case:

A Tropical Storm Warning is usually issued 36 hours in advance of the possibility of tropical storm–force winds (sustained winds of 39 to 73 miles per hour). Powerful tropical storms can develop into hurricanes.
A Hurricane Watch is usually issued 48 hours ahead of the possibility of tropical storm–force winds. A hurricane watch lets us know that the conditions are right for a hurricane, but that it’s not necessarily going to happen.
A Hurricane Warning is usually issued 36 hours ahead of the formation of tropical storm–force winds. Hurricane warnings are taken more seriously because hurricane-force winds (sustained winds of more than 74 miles per hour) are not only possible, but expected.

When tropical storms and hurricanes make the news, we often hear references to “categories,” which refer to wind speeds:

Tropical Depression—sustained winds up to 39 miles per hour (mph).
Tropical Storm—sustained 39 to 73mph winds
Category 1 Hurricane—sustained 74 to 95mph winds
Category 2 Hurricane—sustained 96 to 110mph winds
Category 3 Hurricane—sustained 111 to 129mph winds
Category 4 Hurricane—sustained 130 to 156mph winds, and

Category 5 Hurricane—sustained 157mph (and higher) winds.

We don’t live close to the coast, but because it’s only a 2-hour drive away we should still take precautions. The effects of tropical storms and hurricanes have ruined countless homes and businesses in the Triangle through the years, and it’s worth preparing for. Putting together an emergency kit now is much better than running around trying to get everything at the last minute.

While talking to the kids about hurricanes and staying safe, you might want to take peeks at livestreams from various oceanfront locales.

Click on the Coastal Webcams photo below to take a look at various North Carolina beaches by way of mounted webcams.

Your emergency kit can start with a large plastic container/tub; most home-improvement stores carry huge ones.

Nonperishable and canned food, enough for 3 to 7 days (ideally including food that can be prepared without electricity). Don’t forget your manual can opener.
Lots of batteries and a radio that runs on batteries (look into getting a hand-cranked one, too); Dollar Tree has multi-packs for $1 (including 8-packs of AAs). Consider getting a “weather radio” or be ready to tune in to WPTF 680am or WUNC 91.5fm for nonstop coverage.
Speaking of batteries—be sure to charge up your cell phone’s pocket chargers or power banks.
Several flashlights; in addition to battery-operated flashlights, there are also hand-cranked and shaken-technology.
A first-aid kit; put together a little kit made up of various sizes of bandages, pain-relief tablets/gels, medical-gauze tape, etc or purchase a ready-made one from the American Red Cross.
Emergency cash.
A generator, which can be used to run your household appliances, with the understanding that you won’t operate it indoors. You’ll have to have a supply of gas on hand to keep it running.
A few basic tools, including a wrench or pliers in case you have to shut off your water supply.
Sleeping bags, in case you have to camp out in a center room or basement.
Make sure that your medications are up to date and that you have an abundant supply.
You might have to entertain each other without benefit of the internet or electricity, so have some books, games, and cards on hand.
Easily accessible personal-hygiene supplies, soap, and a couple of changes of clothes.
Extra cell phone chargers, and house and car keys, in case the storm arrives in the middle of the night; also important paperwork (such as copies of your drivers license, Social Security cards, bank account numbers, and insurance policies). Write down the names of important phone numbers, including those of family members, in case you have to use someone else’s phone; many of us don’t bother to memorize phone numbers anymore.

Purchase or set aside 1 gallon of water per person for up to a week. Gallon containers can be stored in an out-of-the-way space until needed.

There’s a mobile app called ReadyNC, which is both iOs and Android–compatible. This free app can be used to get weather updates, track storms, find shelter, check street and highway conditions, and much more. You can find invaluable information on their website by clicking here. (Clique aquí para español.)

Check out the Durham County Department of Emergency Management’s new AlertDurham app by going to alertdurham.com. You can track the storms and sign up for emergency notifications (you can choose text or email, and you can also set a “do not notify” period for your sleeping hours). You can register your whereabouts, whether you’re in your home or somewhere else; be sure to register your elderly neighbors and family members, too, especially if they live alone.