|
|
Summer Heat Wave Safety Tips
The National Weather Service initiates alert procedures when the Heat Index is expected to exceed 105°F - 110°F for at least
two consecutive days. When you add the relative humidity to the air temprature (Heat Index) the felt affects are increased. Listed on
this page are safety precautions for you and your family to follow during Heat Waves Alerts.
|
|
The heat index (see chart below) is the "feels like", or apparent, temperature. As relative humidity increases, the air seems warmer
than it actually is because the body is less able to cool itself via evaporation of perspiration.
As the heat index rises, so do health risks. When the heat index is 90°-105°F, heat exhaustion is possible. When it is above 105°F,
it is probable. Heatstroke is possible when the heat index is above 105°F, and very likely when it is 130°F and above. Physical activity
and prolonged exposure to the heat increase the risks.

Heat exhaustion occurs when the body is dehydrated.
- Symptoms: headache, nausea, dizziness, cool and clammy skin, pale face, cramps, weakness, profuse perspiration
- First aid: move to a cooler spot, drink water with a small amount of salt added (one teaspoon per quart)
- It can lead to: collapse and heatstroke.
Heatstroke occurs when perspiration cannot occur & body overheats.
- Symptoms: headache, nausea, face flushed, hot and dry skin, no perspiration, body temperature over 101°F, chills, rapid pulse
- First aid: cool person immediately, move to shade or indoors, wrap in a cool, wet sheet, get medical assistance
- It can lead to: confusion, coma, and death.
This Heat Index chart shows the health risks as temperature and relative humidity rise.
|
Air Temp (°F) | Relative Humidity (percentage) |
| 0 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 35 | 40 | 45 | 50 | 55 | 60 | 65 | 70 | 75 | 80 | 85 | 90 | 95 | 100 |
| 135° | 120 | 126 | |
| 130° | 117 | 122 | 131 | |
| 125° | 111 | 116 | 123 | 131 | 141 | |
| 120° | 107 | 111 | 116 | 123 | 130 | 139 | 148 | |
| 115° | 105 | 107 | 111 | 115 | 120 | 127 | 135 | 143 | 151 | |
| 110° | 99 | 102 | 105 | 108 | 112 | 117 | 123 | 130 | 137 | 143 | 150 | |
| 105° | 95 | 97 | 100 | 102 | 105 | 109 | 113 | 118 | 123 | 129 | 135 | 142 | 149 | |
| 100° | 91 | 93 | 95 | 97 | 99 | 101 | 104 | 107 | 110 | 115 | 120 | 126 | 132 | 138 | 144 | 150 | |
| 95° | 87 | 88 | 90 | 91 | 93 | 94 | 96 | 98 | 101 | 104 | 107 | 110 | 114 | 119 | 124 | 130 | 136 | 140 | 150 | |
| 90° | 83 | 84 | 85 | 86 | 87 | 88 | 90 | 91 | 93 | 95 | 96 | 98 | 100 | 102 | 106 | 109 | 113 | 117 | 122 | 126 | 131 |
| 85° | 78 | 79 | 80 | 81 | 82 | 83 | 84 | 85 | 86 | 87 | 88 | 89 | 90 | 91 | 93 | 95 | 97 | 99 | 102 | 105 | 108 |
| 80° | 73 | 74 | 75 | 76 | 77 | 77 | 78 | 79 | 79 | 80 | 81 | 81 | 82 | 83 | 84 | 85 | 86 | 87 | 88 | 89 | 90 |
| 75° | 69 | 69 | 70 | 71 | 72 | 72 | 73 | 73 | 74 | 74 | 75 | 75 | 76 | 76 | 77 | 77 | 78 | 78 | 79 | 79 | 80 |
| 70° | 64 | 64 | 65 | 65 | 66 | 66 | 67 | 67 | 68 | 68 | 69 | 69 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 71 | 71 | 71 | 71 | 72 |
| | = | Heatstroke risk extremely high | |
| = | Heat exhaustion possible |
| | = | Heat exhaustion likely, heatstroke possible |
| | = | Fatigue possible |
Find more in-depth information by reading this "Beat the Heat Survival Kit" from the Arkansas Department of Health
|
|
|