Heat can kill.
That’s the message from Wisconsin Emergency Management and the National Weather Service. Tod Pritchard with Emergency Management reminds people to be wary of the dangers associated with extreme heat. “Heat is the number one weather-related killer in the state. It far surpasses tornadoes, floods, everything combined.”
In the July 2011 heat wave, excessive heat claimed five lives and injured more than 100 people in Wisconsin. In 1995, two major killer heat waves affected most of the Badger State resulting in 154 heat-related deaths and over 300 heat-related illnesses.
Pritchard says there are obvious, and easy, things to help you live with the heat. “Drink a lot of water, get some shade when you can, duck into air conditioning when you can … and listen to your body. When it’s telling you it’s over stressed and it’s over heating, sit down; take it easy; don’t push yourself so hard.”
Pritchard explains the accumulative effect — several consecutive days of extreme heat and humidity takes a toll on people. He says kids and seniors are most vulnerable in the high temperatures. Also he says, it should be common sense — never leave a child or pet in the car — but every year we hear tragic stories. Cracking the window isn’t enough.
Temperatures are expected to reach the low 90s both Saturday and Sunday much of the state.
AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report 1:39