Not all that long ago it seems like Michigan residents were sick of cold weather and ready for some sun. This week’s record-setting heat wave has a lot of people rethinking their earlier wishes. In fact, the oppressive temperatures coupled with very high humidity have resulted in such severe conditions that some buildings are shutting down for the safety of the occupants.
Several Michigan cities are taking steps to help keep their residents cool. In Detroit, residents can request “street showers” when the temperature creeps above 80 degrees (which happened at about 7:00 this morning). Lansing and many other cities are offering their residents cooling centers – air-conditioned shelters designed to keep people out of the heat.
The triple-digit heat index is no laughing matter. Hyperthermia is a serious threat in weather like this. Here is a reminder of a few tips I shared earlier this year:
- NEVER leave a child alone in a vehicle or let children play in or around your vehicle.
- Be sure to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water.
- Do not overexert yourself and avoid activity during the hottest parts of the day
The forecast is calling for temperatures to remain in the 90s and upper 80s for the next few days, then dipping to “only” the low- to mid-80s next week. Be careful during this time to avoid the risk of dehydration.
