July in a Nutshell

Is It Hot In Here Or Is It Just Me?

By Squiggy the Squirrel

Phew, just when I thought June was bad, July got even worse. My tree house A/C bill has been out of the leaves!

When we venture outside it's important to check the weather and know the temperature especially when heat waves are in effect. Do you know the differences between watches, warnings, and advisories?

• Excessive Heat Advisory - Heat Index values are forecasting to meet locally defined advisory criteria for 1 to 2 days (daytime highs = 100-105 degrees Fahrenheit). 
• Excessive Heat Warning - Heat Index values are forecasting to meet or exceed locally defined warning criteria for at least 2 days (daytime highs = 105-110 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Excessive Heat Watch - Conditions are favorable for an excessive heat event to meet or exceed Excessive Heat Warning criteria in the next 24 to 72 hours.

A lot of people get confused on the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke and it's important to know about these two conditions. 

Heat exhaustion involves the loss of body fluids through heavy sweating during strenuous exercise in high heat and humidity (like when my buddies and I kick the acorn around). 

Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition in which a person’s temperature control system stops working and the body is unable to cool itself (like when my buddies and I kick the acorn around and we go into double overtime).

If you think you’re having a heat stroke or heat exhaustion make sure to call 911 ASAP, you can never be too safe.

Make sure to keep your body hydrated during these high heats. You should be drinking at least seven glasses a day to keep your body in tip-top shape!

For heat safety and many other lifesaving information, make sure to download the Red Cross First Aid app on your smartphone! Share with family and friends so that they’re prepared and cool, just like you!

xo, 

Squiggy