Col. Tom Steiner, public information officer at Pyro Shows Inc., explains preparations for the Fourth of July fireworks at the National Park Service.
Keeping you and your family happy and healthy during all of the July Fourth festivities can be tough, especially in nearly 100-degree heat.
The National Park Service and Capitol Concert held a news conference Monday at the Marine Corps Memorial to help visitors prepare for the intense heat during all of the Independence Day events in Washington.
Having a good defense against the heat is key…
-Be prepared: bring enough water and salty snacks for the entire day to replenish essential minerals
-Drink plenty of water: even if you’re not thirsty and the night before you plan to be in the heat
-Wear the right clothes: light colored and wicking fabrics are best; avoid dense fabrics
-Drink the right drinks: limit your consumption of caffeinated and alcoholic drinks; these will dehydrate you more
-Eat food: even if you are not hungry; small portions more frequently is best
-Wear sunscreen: prevent burning and potential blistering of your exposed skin
-Take breaks: sit in the shade frequently to let your body cool down
-Extreme heat: the heat is at its peak between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Try to go into air conditioning several times during these hours
-Reduce physical activity during the hottest hours
Recognizing when the heat has gotten to you or a loved…
-Nausea
-Vomiting
-A dull headache
-Irritability
-Light-headedness
Capt. Sara Newman, DrPH, MCP, is the deputy chief of the office of Risk Management and spoke about the risks, preventions and signs of heat illnesses during the holiday.
“When you’ve got the humidity plus the heat it’s going to feel really bad,” Newman said. “We have to especially watch out for the elderly and kids. Kids don’t know how to tell us what’s going on.”
Newman offered the tips listed here to ensure that people stay health in the heat so they can enjoy all the Capital has to offer.
Washington is known for its humid weather, nicknamed “Foggy Bottom”, because at one point in history the district was cover by the ocean. The nation’s capital was literally built on a swamp.
Newman said the park service will have first aid stations set up around the mall and they will be adding five misting stations for people to cool off.
One of the other major concerns people have to worry about when it comes to extreme heat is medications. Newman said that people on certain medications need to be extra careful when being outside during the hottest hours of the day. She said to call your doctor before you head out for the Fourth of July festivities if you take any medications regularly.
For information about the July Fourth holiday visit: http://www.nps.gov/foju/index.htm
Why does humidity make it so much worse? Newman explains how high humidity can inhibit the body’s ability to cool you off.