TAMPA, Fla (WFLA) — Amid another heat advisory issued for the Tampa Bay area, first responders stress safety is the utmost importance.
The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory Saturday and has issued another one for Sunday.
“Please pay attention to your body. In this situation, if you begin to feel lightheaded or weak, remove yourself from the environment,” stated Rob Herrin, public information chief for Hillsborough County Fire Rescue. “Go indoors and stay hydrated, hydrated, hydrated.”
According to Herrin, the elderly, children along with those with chronic health conditions are most at risk amid current conditions.
Knowing the difference between heat related illnesses is important as they can escalate quickly according to Moore.
“Heat exhaustion involves your heart beating a bit faster and sweating, which is your body’s defense against heat — it’s your body’s way of regulating temperature,” Moore clarified. “Heat stroke is a genuine emergency. Heat stroke can lead to unconsciousness, seizures, and even death in severe cases if not treated adequately.”
Heavy sweating, cold and clammy skin, nausea, and vomiting are all symptoms that CK Moore, planning section chief for Hillsborough County Office of Emergency Management, emphasized people need to recognize in relation to heat-related illnesses.
“A lot of times people don’t pay attention to the signs and a lot of people don’t hydrate enough, so, we ask folks to stay hydrated,” Moore said. “We ask folks to take advantage of our public parks, the government buildings, libraries, things of that nature that you can go, seek refuge or refill your water bottles.”
Sunday’s heat advisory will begin at noon and end at 7 p.m. according to the NWS which adds to “drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.”
