Good advice--from a bear!

In case you haven't stepped outside of the air conditioning lately, the hot and hazy days of Summer 2012 continue! The heat is on again in Buffalo today, and temps Tuesday predicted to reach over 90 degrees with high humidity. Since this isn't exactly the first time we've experienced these conditions this year, you're probably quite familiar with how to stay safe in the extreme heat-things like drinking lots of water (#H20B4UGO!), wearing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing and not leaving kids or pets in an enclosed vehicle.

A Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle on the scene
of an area devastated by recent wild fires in Colorado

What you may not be aware of is how these hot, dry conditions increase the risk of wild fires. In fact, Governor Cuomo recently instituted a residential burn ban across New York State. Unfortunately, we've already seen an example of how quickly a small fire can spread in these conditions, as firefighters battled a brush fire in Derby over the weekend. As evidenced by recent events in Colorado and other western states, wild fires can be fast moving and have a devastating affect on those who live in the area.


While the American Red Cross has a lot of experience responding to wild fires, we here in Western New York don't see them all that often. So take a moment to review this wild fire safety checklist and review the Governor's burn ban letter referenced above for ways to help prevent a fire from spreading quickly. If, like me, you're old enough to remember Smokey the Bear, you know that "Only You can Prevent Forest Fires!"

Oh my lanta it is hot out... day 3!

Did we all mishear the meteorologists this morning? It’s getting hotter AND muggier?! We didn't think it was possible, since even making a quick walk down the street has us feeling like we’ve run a mile. 

Photo courtesy of
video.planetgreen.discovery.com

Staying inside near the air conditioner and fans has been the solution to most of our heat related woes this summer season, and that’s whats being recommended by many new stations.  But what many people fail to realize when they’re talking about Buffalo is that a lot of us don’t have air conditioners! After all, summers here don’t last very long, and we don’t generally experience heat waves like this. So, if you’re one of the many living without an air-conditioned in your life, what are you to do?

After much researching, this red crosser couldn't find much help for staying cool indoors, especially without air-conditioning, but I've included some of my own solutions below as well as some that I found perusing the web, and additions are always welcome!

Some keeping cool indoor tips:

• Keep the windows open and the blinds/shades drawn
• Try not to use the stove/oven
• Wash your hands in cold water
•  Drink lots of iced water to stay hydrated
•  Try to make meals as non-cook as possible or use a grill
• One of my favorites, Feta and Mint Couscous Salad
• Sandwiches
• Hotdogs, hamburgers and grilled chicken
• Grilled corn or other vegetables
• Soak your feet in ice water or take a cool bath/shower
•  Put an ice pack on your neck
• Create as much air flow/cross ventilation as possible using windows and fans
• Try to keep electronics, like the television, turned off
• Games like scrabble, slap jack, checkers are fun and don’t require too much moving around, plus if everyone in your household is playing you can focus your fans on that part of the room to help cool off!

As far staying SAFE during this atrocious heat wave, it’s important to remember that excessive heat can cause deaths and heat-related illnesses.  Because of this, Dr. David Markenson, of the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council has provided us with some of the following tips:

•  Never leave a child or pet in a parked car – even for a few minutes. The inside temperature of a car can quickly reach 120 degrees.
•  Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day – even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol that dehydrate the body.
• Dress for the heat. Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing in layers. Avoid dark colors that absorb the sun’s rays.
• If you must work outdoors, take frequent breaks to hydrate and cool yourself. Avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.
• Protect yourself from sun exposure even on cloudy or hazy days. In addition to dressing for heat, apply a broad-spectrum (protection against both UVA and UVB rays) sunscreen and reapply as indicated, wear eye protection (wraparound sunglasses that provide 100 percent UV ray protection) and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
•  Be a good neighbor. Check in on the elderly, young children and pets to make sure they are not suffering from the heat.

Want to learn more? Learn how to prevent and treat heat-related illnesses by attending a Red Cross First Aid course. Visit www.redcross.org/training for details or to register.

To see other ways to beat the heat, check out day 1 and 2 of our Oh My Lanta, It’s Hot Out series, and be sure to share your “stay cool” tips below!