Tips for staying cool in scorching temps
While storms and floods may get more attention, in a typical year extreme heat kills more people in the United States than any other weather phenomenon. With that in mind, health officials urge Minnesotans to take steps to avoid heat-related illnesses during the unusually hot and humid conditions forecast in the coming days. Extreme heat can cause health problems ranging from heat rash and cramps to life-threatening conditions like heatstroke. Heat exhaustion is a common heat-related illnesses. Signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include dizziness, thirst, fatigue, headache, nausea, vomiting, weakness and confusion. Untreated heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke. According to Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division Medical Director Dr. Raj Mody, athletes and people working outside face a higher risk for heat-related illnesses.
“Extreme heat can be dangerous, especially for older adults, and children and young adults playing sports like soccer and football,” Mody said. “The heat can overwhelm the ability of the body to keep its temperature at 98 degrees Fahrenheit, and that can lead to serious problems. That’s why it’s so important to take precautions to avoid overheating.”
The Minnesota Department of Health offers the following tips for staying cool and safe during extremely hot weather:
Stay cool:
- Electric fans will not prevent heat-related illnesses when temperatures are very hot, so use air conditioning or spend time in air-conditioned locations during extremely hot weather
- If you plan to exercise outdoors, consider doing it in the morning before temperatures rise.
- Limit time outdoors, and take frequent breaks if you must be outside.
- Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothes.
- Take a cool bath or shower.
- Don’t leave kids or pets alone in cars, even for just a few minutes and with windows down.
Stay hydrated:
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially water.
- Do not wait until you’re thirsty before you drink fluids.
- Avoid excessive caffeine, alcohol, drinks high in sugar, and very cold drinks (they can cause stomach cramps).
Stay informed and connected:
- Listen to the local news for the weather forecast.
- Learn about the early warning signs of heat-related illnesses, and help people showing those signs to cool off, hydrate and get medical attention as needed.
- Check on your neighbors, friends and family – especially older adults and people with underlying health issues.
“We urge people to plan ahead to stay cool and hydrated,” said MDH Climate and Health Program Supervisor Kristin Raab. “Take care of yourself and take care of others, especially those who are at higher risk.”
More information is available on the MDH website.
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Road work to continue from Heritage to CR 120
This project consists of reconstructing to four lanes the section northwesterly of Hwy. 15 to just past Heritage Drive, including construction of a 5-legged roundabout at Heritage Drive, and an added lane along northwesterly bound CSAH 1 southeasterly of Hwy. 15. Evergreen Drive will be extended and will become the fifth leg of the roundabout. In conjunction with this project, but under a separate contract, MnDOT will be constructing dual left turn lanes along Hwy. 15 for northwesterly bound traffic at CSAH 1. Please refer to CSAH 1/Heritage Drive page for updates.
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Slight detour to occur on Lake Wobegon Trail
On Monday and Tuesday, July 25 and 26, there will be a short detour on the Lake Wobegon Trail. At milepost 111.5 a culvert is being replaced. The detour will run from “Memoryville” (just west of Melrose) onto CR 65 to 365th Avenue. Contact the Park Office for more information.
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Card, Cribbage, and Game Players Wanted!
Play games at Country Manor Campus. Sit with an individual resident or a group of residents and play the game of choice. Checkers, cribbage, Uno, Kings in the Corner, bridge and 500 just to name a few. The residents love to visit and play games with our wonderful volunteers. This is a great way to build relationships and get to know residents over some friendly competition. Contact Caitlin Tierney, Country Manor Campus volunteer coordinator, at 320-253-1920.
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Back-to-school supplies needed
The school year is right around the corner and many local children are in need of supplies. Please donate school supplies to the following agencies by August 15 for distribution prior to the start of the school year. Supplies needed include: backpacks, dry erase and washable markers, colored pencils, Fiskars scissors, rulers, erasers, glue sticks, scientific calculators, head phones/earbuds for computer lab, flash drives, pens and pencils. Contact one or more of the following: Catholic Charities, 320-650-1550; Place of Hope, 320-203-7881; or the Salvation Army, 320-252-2229.
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