17 patients with heat-related illnesses taken to Fort Worth-area hospitals
It won’t feel like a oven this week in North Texas, but it will be close.
Temperatures on Monday were once again very warm with highs in the upper 90s, and weather forecasters say that’s what the Dallas-Fort Worth area will have for the next several days.
“We will have a brief interruption when a cold front arrives on Tuesday,” said meteorologist Monique Sellers at the National Weather Service in Fort Worth on Monday. “There are no rain chances.”
The front will arrive Tuesday, bringing with it dry air and making it feel less muggy in North Texas.
It will be in the high 90s on Tuesday, and stay very warm all week. Morning temperatures will be in the lower 70s.
Weather forecasters say there could be a potential for fire danger on Tuesday in counties northwest of Fort Worth.
The high temperatures have already taken their toll on residents. Just this past weekend, MedStar responded to 27 heat calls in the Fort Worth area, and 17 patients were serious enough to require a trip to the hospital.
Since March 1, MedStar crews have treated 91 patients with heat-related illnesses.
With the temperatures nearing triple digits, MedStar officials noted residents could suffer heat exhaustion or heatstroke with prolonged or intense exposure to heat.
MedStar officials provided these tips to prevent heatstroke and heat exhaustion:
▪ Hydrate: Drink plenty of water during the day, especially if you are engaged in any strenuous activity. Sports drinks are a good choice if you’re exercising or working in hot conditions, but water is a good way to hydrate as well.
▪ Ventilate: Stay in a place where there is plenty of air circulating to keep your body cool. If you are indoors and don’t have access to air conditioning, open windows and use a fan.
▪ Cover Up: Wear light-colored and loose-fitting clothing to avoid absorbing the sun’s light and trapping heat. Wear a hat to shield yourself from the sun, but once you feel yourself getting warm, remove any items covering your head which can trap heat close to your body.
▪ Limit Activity: Heatstroke can occur in less than an hour when you are participating in strenuous activity during a hot day. If you feel yourself getting hot or light-headed, stop your activity and rest in a cool place out of the sun. Be sure to drink water or a sports drink before, during, and after any strenuous activity.
MedStar officials also encouraged residents to check on older citizens because they are especially vulnerable to heat-related emergencies. Many elderly residents are not aware of how hot it may get in their residence. Call on older friends and family members regularly to assure they are doing OK.
In addition, local police and fire officials pointed out that parents and guardians should be on alert with children in vehicles during these hot days. Authorities recommended that everyone should secure cars to prevent a curious child from becoming trapped in the vehicle on a hot day. If you find a child unattended in a hot car, alert authorities immediately, and, if necessary, be prepared to take action.
This story was originally published June 8, 2020 at 10:03 AM.
