“Hydration is going to be very important, staying in the shade - anything they can do to reduce sun exposure and reduce heat exposure,” Jones said.
Clark County Combined Health District Commissioner Charles Patterson agreed with Jones and added that avoiding the heat when at all possible is encouraged.
For landscapers and other outdoor workers, the heat is unavoidable because summer is one of their peak seasons.
BJ Hamilton, owner of Natures Own, a landscaping company in Springfield, said that during his 19 years of landscaping, he has become accustomed to the heat.
“For us, it’s seasonal. We do go from a cold season back to a hotter season, so there is that getting used to it again. Basically, you have to listen to your body - drink plenty of water, keep the sugar out, and eat small bits of food throughout the day instead of a big lunch… that definitely helps too.”
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He added that his employees wear “breathable long sleeve shirts” to keep the sun off of their skin, which keeps them cooler throughout the day.
On Monday, the high was 92 degrees, which is well above normal, according to the National Weather Service.
Peggy Cottrell, a resident of Park Layne, went to the New Carlisle pool to cool off.
“We’ve been unseasonably warm all year, so I’m not surprised that it is going to be in the 90s all week,” Cottrell said.
She added that besides coming to the pool, she has stayed inside with air conditioning to stay cool.
Laura Willis, a family nurse practitioner with Mercy Health at Urbana Family Medicine & Pediatrics said, “keeping cool in the heat can be tough.”
She recommends staying in the shade and wearing loose, light clothing - especially during the sun’s peak hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Staying hydrated and drinking fluids two to three hours before an activity is also important to preventing dehydration, Willis added.
“You need more fluid than you imagine and eating fruits and vegetables with high water content can help supplement your water intake,” Willis said.
Another tip to staying cool is changing your shirt when it gets soaked in sweat, Willis said.
The health districts in Clark and Champaign counties have not established cooling centers for residents.
Emma Smales, a spokesperson for Clark County Combined Health District, said the county generally establishes cooling centers following guidance from the Regional Air Pollution Control Agency and Public Health - Dayton & Montgomery County, but no excessive heat watch or warning has been issued for the region.
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She explained that the health district has a plan for excessive heat watches and warnings. Usually, the health district distributes information about heat exhaustion and establishes cooling centers.
This year, the plan is going to be “complicated” because some of the usual cooling centers are closed due to COVID-19, Smales said.
If a watch or warning is issued, the health district will discuss how they can have cooling centers safely with limited capacities, she said.
Jones said the Champaign County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) will help the health district decide when cooling centers are needed.
“Currently if someone is having difficulties, The Caring Kitchen is available and they can shelter them there,” Jones said.
He added that Champaign County residents are encouraged to call the health district at 937-484-1605 or the EMA at 937-484-1642 if they are needing assistance with the heat. For more information about The Caring Kitchen in Urbana, call 937-653-8443.
Willis said, “Heat exhaustion is common in warm weather.”
Symptoms include warm skin, headache, fatigue, dizziness, muscle cramps, nausea, loss of appetite, clammy skin, fast pulse and intense thirst, Willis said.
“If you begin feeling any of these symptoms, get inside, place a cool rag on your forehead, take a bath or shower (cool not hot) and drink plenty of water. If your symptoms don’t resolve within 30 to 60 minutes, call your doctor as you may need IV fluids,” Willis said.
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