Weather service: Beware of heat

The National Weather Service in the Quad Cities has issued a heat advisory from 1 p.m. today until 8 p.m. Friday.

According to the advisory, the combination of hot air and high humidity will push heat index values above 100 degrees this afternoon and above 105 Friday afternoon and evening.

The advisory states the hot and humid conditions will lead to a heightened risk of heat related stress and illness. It advises people to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, keep out of the sun and check on relatives and neighbors, especially the elderly.

The advisory also urges people who work or spend time outdoors to take extra precautions, such as rescheduling strenuous activities to early morning or evening, wearing light-weight and loose-fitting clothing, drinking plenty of water and knowing the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

The American Heart Association explains the risk of dehydration increases when the humidity is above 70 percent and the temperature is greater than 70 degrees. Heat and humidity interfere with the body?s natural cooling process. The heart is trying to deliver blood and oxygen to working muscles at the same time the body is trying to cool off by sweating. If a person sweats too much, he loses important body fluids. The heart then has to pump even harder to get the smaller volume of blood distributed to working muscles, skin and the other body parts. Extreme fluid loss can lead to brain and heart damage.

The association said it is important to recognize the symptoms of heat exhaustion, such as sweating; cold, clammy skin; dizziness; a rapid pulse; throbbing pressure in the head; chills; flushed appearance; and nausea.

And the symptoms of heat stroke, which are warm, dry skin with no sweating or heavy sweating; cold, clammy skin; low blood pressure; confusion; and/or unconsciousness. High fever, a slow pulse and ashen or gray skin are other telltale signs.

  The American Heart Association urges people to seek medical help if symptoms continue. Heat exhaustion can progress quickly to heat stroke, a potentially fatal condition.

When temperatures and heat indices soar, pet owners also are advised to take special precautions because high temperatures can be deadly for pets left without a cool, shady place to rest and plenty of water.

The Humane Society says pets should never be left unattended in a parked car when the temperature is more than 70 degrees. When it?s 72 degrees outside, a car?s temperature can rocket to 116 degrees, even with the windows cracked. When it is 85 degrees outside, the temperature inside a car can soar to 120 degrees in minutes.

If a pet is showing signs of heat exhaustion ? excessive panting, vomiting, lethargic behavior ? begin applying cold water to its extremities right away, and see a veterinarian immediately.

The weather service says a cold front is expected to bring some relief by Saturday morning, and there will be slight chances for thunderstorms Saturday through Sunday, but the probability for severe weather is low. Thunderstorms also will be possible Sunday night into Monday, but it is too soon to determine the potential for severe weather.