http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/heatsafety_113.mp3
It's hot! And as the summer months fly by there are a few safety precautions to keep in mind. KSMU's Katie Hummel spoke with some experts about keeping your cool.
T'S MISSOURI SUMMER WEATHER SAFETY WEEK - A WEEK DEVOTED TO RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT THE TWO BIGGEST WEATHER HAZARDS AFFECTING THE U-S DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS: LIGHTNING AND EXCESSIVE HEAT.
ACCORDING TO THE MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, 17 MISSOURIANS DIED LAST YEAR DUE TO HEAT RELATED CAUSES.
SUSIE STONER IS THE PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER FOR THE STATE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, WHICH IS SPONSORING THE PROGRAM.
STONER SAYS LAST YEAR'S HEAT-RELATED DEATHS DIDN'T EVEN COMPARE TO WHAT HAPPENED IN 1999.
SHE SAYS IT WAS THE NUMBER OF DEATHS THAT YEAR WHICH PROMPTED SUCH A CONCERN FOR HEAT SAFETY IN MISSOURI.
THE CAMPAIGN STRATEGY IS TO MAKE MISSOURIANS MORE AWARE OF THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF SUMMER WEATHER.
STONER SAYS HEAT STROKE AND HEAT EXHAUSTION ARE BOTH COMMON ILLNESSES.
STONER ALSO SAYS THESE ILLNESSES OCCUR MORE COMMONLY IN CHILDREN AND THE ELDERLY, WHO ARE MORE VULNERABLE TO THE EFFECTS OF HIGH TEMPERATURES.
STONER SAYS YOU SHOULD ALSO USE COMMON SENSE WHEN IT COMES TO LIGHTNING AND SUMMER STORMS.
DEATHS CAUSED BY LIGHTNING ARE RARE.
BUT STONER DOES RECALL ONE INCIDENT IN MISSOURI LAST YEAR THAT KILLED 5 PEOPLE.
STAYING INDOORS IS THE BEST PROTECTION FROM LIGHTNING, BUT IF YOU ARE OUTSIDE, STAY AWAY FROM METAL OBJECTS AND AVOID TAKING SHELTER UNDER TREES OR AROUND WATER.
TO AVOID HEAT RELATED ILLNESSES, HEALTH EXPERTS RECOMMEND DRINKING PLENTY OF WATER, STAYING IN THE SHADE AND WEARING LOOSE, LIGHT COLORED CLOTHING.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT STROKE OR EXHAUSTION, VISIT THE MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WEBSITE AT D-H-S-S DOT M-O DOT GOV.