SHEBOYGAN COUNTY, WI (WHBL) - It has been at least two years since temperatures and heat indexes were as high as they were Friday and are forecast for Saturday.
Sheboygan County Emergency Management Director Steven Steinhardt says he is worried about the heat, since it is one of the top weather-related killers every year. People who cannot handle the heat can suffer from heat exhaustion, which has symptoms of headache, dizziness and excessive sweating, or heat stroke, which can cause unconsciousness and possibly death if not medically treated.
Steinhardt's biggest concern is people left in hot locations, especially vehicles. "Never leave any children, disabled person, or pets in a parked car, no matter how brief you think you’re going to be out of the car without them. Always take the kids with you."
The best advice is to stay cool, and it begins at your home. "Keep your shades shut, and if it gets too hot go out and find a place that does have AC; catch a movie, go to a shopping center, just get out of the heat," says Steinhardt.
If you do have to be active in the heat, be prepared. "Drink lots of water," says Steinhardt. "Don’t eat a lot of heavy foods, eat lightly. Wear your light-weight, loose fitting, light colored clothes."
Relief will come with cooler temperatures and lower dew points on Sunday.