Summer in Oklahoma is a time for taking a break from school, having fun in the water and consuming obscene amounts of snow cones. Fun is a top priority of many people during the sunny season, but safety should come number one. With temperatures exceeding 100 degrees in summer months, keeping yourself, your kids and your furry friends cool is essential.
“It is important to pay attention to signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke,” Charlotte Brown, Lincoln County Emergency Management Deputy Director, said while giving advice on how to stay healthy in high heat.
Find air conditioning when possible and try to avoid strenuous activities during the hottest parts of the day. When outside in the heat, keep yourself hydrated and wear light colored and breathable clothing. Be careful to not leave children or pets inside cars as this can lead to illness and death quickly.
Heat-related illnesses are deadly. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke such as cramps, nausea, vomiting, quickened breathing, feelings of weakness and lightheadedness then you need to seek medical attention immediately. Check on your elderly family and friends as high heat may affect them sooner.
The amount of rain and stormy weather the area has gotten recently has led to an increase in humidity levels. Humidity can make sweat less effective at cooling off your body. Pay attention to humidity levels as much as the temperature itself, but most importantly, stay hydrated.
This goes for your pets and livestock as well. Just like people, this time of year is hazardous for animals, especially older animals. It is crucial to keep pets inside during days of extreme heat.
“If you cannot place your hand on the pavement for longer than 10 seconds, then it’s too hot for your pets to walk on,” Dr. Theresa McKinzie, veterinarian at Lincoln County Animal Hospital, said.
McKinzie said the leading situation in which an animal dies from overheating is when they’re left inside running cars with the air conditioner on. She mentioned how the A/C in a stationary car doesn’t keep the interior cool enough for a pet to survive long. The temperature may be sustainable when you leave but can become detrimental quickly.
Second to overheating in cars, is pets (mainly dogs) overheating while being left tied out in the yard. McKinzie said this isn’t the proper way to leave a dog outside regardless of temperature but is life threatening when the heat becomes unbearable. Certainly don’t leave your older pets outside in the heat.
Dogs cool themselves by panting just as humans cool themselves by sweating. If you do have your dog out and about with you be watching for signs of overheating. Hard panting, stopping panting and dry mouth are just a few of the signs to be wary of. Bulldogs, Frenchies and other dogs with naturally impaired breathing will overheat faster.
“We love to see bonds between pets and owners,” McKinzie said, “but if you don’t need to have your pet with you in hot weather, don’t.”
The best thing for your furry friends is to be left indoors with air conditioning and plenty of water. Even if your pets are usually kept outside during the day, bringing them inside on days of extreme heat may just save their lives. Dog houses and outdoor water dishes are not suitable options as they can still heat up and do more harm than good.