[WIham] Fw: SKYWARN: Heat Awareness Day June 11th

[Mark Thompson via WIham]

From:"Milw Area Skywarn Assoc" <cwa at mke-skywarn.org>
Date:Tue, Jun 9, 2015 at 10:20 PM
Subject:SKYWARN: Heat Awareness Day June 11th


From Wisconsin Emergency Management

For Immediate Release

 

 

Wisconsin Heat Awareness Day

June 11, 2015

(MADISON) – Heat can kill. That’s why Wisconsin Emergency Management, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the National Weather Service are reminding people of the dangers associated with extreme heat and to promote community safety and health. Heat Awareness Day is Thursday, June 11th. 

Summer heat waves have been the biggest weather-related killers in Wisconsin for the past 50 years, far exceeding tornadoes, severe storms and floods combined. Heat is also a major weather-related killer in the United States. People at higher risk of a heat-related illness include:

Older adultsInfants and young childrenPeople with chronic heart or lung problemsPeople with disabilitiesOverweight personsThose who work outdoors or in hot settingsUsers of some medications, especially those taken for mental disorders, movement disorder, allergies, depression, and heart or circulatory problems. 

 

Many victims of heat-related deaths are socially isolated maintaining little contact with family and friends. This is why it is vitally important to check in on family, friends, and neighbors during extreme heat, especially those who are particularly vulnerable, like families with very young children, the elderly, and people who are on medications that could make them more susceptible to injury from extreme heat. 

Many cities and counties across Wisconsin open Cooling Centers during periods of extreme heat. These centers are a great place for people to come into an air conditioned facility and get some relief from the heat. ReadyWisconsin will post a list of open Cooling Centers on our website at readywisconsin.wi.gov.


For more information, visit http://ready.wi.gov/news/2015/Heat_Awareness_Day_2015.pdf