GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Health officials are reminding the public that heatstroke is no joke.
And with local temps forecasted in the upper 90’s by the end of the workweek, it can be a real concern.
“Heatstroke is a deadly heat illness that we need to be very cautious of,” explains Roland Schmidt, a licensed athletic trainer with Bellin Health.
The good news, according to Schmidt, is that everyone possesses the power to prevent a deadly heat illness from taking place.
“Heatstroke is a very, very, much preventable disease that we can keep people safe from,” explains Schmidt.
According to him, some of the most important steps to preventing heat illness include wearing appropriate clothing, staying hydrated, not overexerting yourself, and taking plenty of breaks.
These measures are even more important when applied to kids or the elderly, since they might not be able to detect the warning signs of a heatstroke coming on.
Because of that, parents should be having a conversation with their children regarding summer safety.
“Make sure you have a bottle of water with you and come on inside for fifteen minutes to rest and have your lunch,” he explains.
While kids might balk at the idea of high temperatures presenting health risks, experts say the danger is very real.
Schmidt explains what exactly takes place when someone suffers a heatstroke.
“Their core temperature has reached a critical stage where they’re basically cooking their organs from the inside-out,” he says.
Some of the warning signs for heat-related illness include fatigue, dizziness, and general confusion.
If you notice someone complaining about these issues or showing signs of experiencing them, don’t wait to take action.
“Get them into a shaded area, even better can we get them into an air-conditioned area,” he says. “Dousing them with a hose [and] keeping them fanned down.”
Additionally, a call to 9-1-1 is warranted for anyone you believe is suffering from a heat-related illness.
