Heat is the headline again in Hillsborough County, where the National Weather Service put the mercury on notice with a heat advisory for July 20, from noon until 6 p.m., targeting those trying to beat the oppressive humidity and temperatures which could make it feel like a sweltering 110 degrees. Residents are being advised to adopt a hermit lifestyle during peak sun – stay in, drink water, and keep tabs on anyone who might be at a higher risk for heat-related ailments according to Hillsborough County.
The county’s Office of Emergency Management’s eyes are glued to the thermometer to dish out advice as needed, warning the public that high temps can lead to serious health emergencies if not death if caution is tossed to the sultry winds. For those lacking a cold retreat, public spaces like libraries and malls are the oases provided by the Hillsborough County.
If you’re scheduled to do anything remotely taxing outside, the advice is to push it to dusk or dawn because midday’s just asking for trouble. Hillsborough County reminds you that heat can knock you down fast, so learning the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke is not just a good idea, it’s potentially a lifesaver. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration chimes in, suggesting workers take rest breaks in the cool embrace of shade or air-conditioning, and in the direst situations, when the heat is winning, call 911 right away, because heat stroke isn’t something you walk off…