Heat Safety
With West Tennessee under an excessive heat warning, weather forecasters predict heat indexes more than 110 degrees over the next few days. Medical authorities said people over 65, children under age five, those with preexisting medical problems and those taking prescription medications are easily to prone to heat exhaustion. . “What happens is the internal body temperature elevates much like it would if you have a fever from a sickness,” said Mark Walker, shift supervisor for Jackson-Madison County General Hospital Medical Center EMS. Walker said they have seen more heat related calls in recent weeks. He said they stock ambulances with coolers, ice water, cold towels and cool IV fluids. “I’ve got a little small fan inside the house. I try not to burn too much utilities because it’s very expensive these days,” said George Austin, a West Jackson resident. Austin is like most West Tennesseans who are trying to conserve energy in a challenging economy. But medical officials said there is a fine line between conserving and surviving. “Anytime you progress from profuse sweating to not sweating at all, flush, dry skin, extreme headache, throbbing headache, nausea, vomiting, confusion,” said Walker when asked about the signs of heat exhaustion. Walker said joggers should limit their runs to early morning hours.
