The Kane County Office of Emergency Management and Kane County Health Department are warning residents of possibly dangerous heat expected to hit home on Thursday and Friday, July 21-22, 2016.

The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Watch, in place through Friday.

An Excessive Heat Watch means that a prolonged period of hot temperatures is expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are possible.

“Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun and check up relatives and neighbors,” the NWS says.

The NWS weather story says the very hot and humid conditions will be caused by a warm front approaches from the southwest. Temperatures Thursday through Saturday will be in the 90s.

“Try to limit outdoor activities those days to the morning and evening, avoiding the hottest time of day,” the NWS said. “If you have to be outdoors, wear light colored, loose-fitting clothing and drink plenty of water. NEVER leave young children or pets in a vehicle.”

Additional Resources

Visit this page on the Kane County Health Department website for additional information about hot weather and heat safety.

• Heat FAQs
• Extreme Heat Tips
• Hot Weather Emergencies
• Preparing Kane Heat Wave Flyer
• Kane County Cooling Centers

Health Department Advice

A watch is the second step in the NWS’ four-step “outlook, watch, advisory, warning” system designed to keep people safe during a heat emergency.

The effects of extreme heat conditions on the human body are cumulative. Follow these simple dos and don’ts to stay cool as the temperature increases:

Do:

• Use air conditioners or spend time in air-conditioned locations such as malls and libraries.
• Use portable electric fans to exhaust hot air from rooms or draw in cooler air.
• Take a cool bath or shower.
• Minimize direct exposure to the sun.
• Stay hydrated – regularly drink water or other nonalcoholic fluids.
• Eat light, cool, easy-to-digest foods such as fruit or salads.
• Wear loose fitting, light-colored clothes.
• Check on older, sick, or frail people who may need help responding to the heat.
• Know the symptoms of excessive heat exposure and the appropriate responses.

• Direct the flow of portable electric fans toward yourself when room temperature is hotter than 90 degrees.
• Leave children and pets alone in cars for any amount of time.
• Drink alcohol to try to stay coo.
• Eat heavy, hot, or hard-to-digest food.
• Wear heavy, dark clothing.

Pets can suffer from the same heat-related problems that humans do, such as overheating, dehydration and even sunburn. Your pets should always have an ample supply of cool, fresh water. If you have any concerns about your pet handling the hot weather, please contact your veterinarian.

More information about how you and your pets can cope with extreme heat is available by visiting the Health Department’s Heat page at kanehealth.com/heat.htm.

Municipal Cooling Centers in Kane County

Cooling places are public areas of safe haven when temperatures are dangerously high, and there are many located throughout Kane County.

It’s always good practice to check on your municipality’s website for a list of cooling centers nearest you, but Kane County has a spreadsheet on its website with some of the locations, which is presented below for your convenience.