Extreme heat kills more Americans than floods, tornadoes, lightning or hurricanes.
This is one fact the City shared today, along with safety tips from the state’s Department of Emergency Management (VDEM). They were not alone in urging residents to be careful. Earlier today, the National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for Virginia Beach, warning of a heat index value – how hot it really feels – between 105 and 109. The advisory remains in place until 8 p.m.
“Stay inside if you can,” the City tweeted Monday morning. “Drink plenty of water and use sunscreen. Keep a close watch on seniors, children and pets.”
Safety tips from VDEM include:
- Plan on being in an air-conditioned spot during the hottest hours of the day
- Avoid strenuous activities outside
- Never leave children or animals alone in a closed car for any period of time
- Check on neighbors, especially those living alone
- Stay hydrated and limit the intake of alcoholic drinks
High temperatures affect not only the public, but also public safety officers responding to fires and other accidents. Two Virginia Beach firemen were recently admitted to the hospital after responding to a two-alarm fire at a storage unit, according to Art Kohn, the Virginia Beach Fire Department’s public information officer. The men displayed signs of heat stress, he said.
“Wearing protective gear is the same thing as asking someone to wear a snowsuit in July,” Kohn said in a phone interview.
When temperatures enter the triple digits, the department relies on support technician volunteers. These technicians arrive at an accident and set up a tent and cooling station for firefighters. During periods of extreme heat, firefighters are rotated out as often as every 10 minutes.
Firefighters are also encouraged to hydrate well about 12 hours before their shifts, Kohn said. The department is currently working on having a crew of volunteers ready to go 24/7 in order to support firefighters during periods of extreme heat.
“We watch our people very closely when it’s like this,” Kohn said.
For information about cooling shelters, the VDEM information line can be reached by dialing 211.
