This week may be the hottest week of the summer so far with temperatures remaining in the mid-90’s in Chapel Hill and surrounding areas.

Ahbi Mehrotra, Medical Director of the Emergency Department at UNC Hospitals’ Hillsborough campus, has advice on how to stay safe in the extreme heat and avoid dangers like heat exhaustion.

“If you have to be outside, it’s planning ahead, so making sure you have plenty of water to make sure you stay hydrated,” Mehrotra says.

While it’s important to stay hydrated, Mehrotra says to make sure water is the drink of choice when outside in the heat.

“The one thing that people tend to overlook is the importance of the water as hydration and people tend to grab for caffeinated sodas and that can actually make things worse, as well as alcoholic beverages,” Mehrotra said. “They can cause dilation and so you get more heat exposure and so it reverses what you’re actually trying to do.”

Mehrotra also says to try and keep children out of the sun in the peak hours of the day, and to avoid leaving anyone in a turned-off car causing elevation in body temperature.

As for the elderly, Mehrotra says it is best to avoid situations of extreme heat and says having a neighbor check on you periodically is a good idea.

For those who have to work outside, Mehrotra said to always have a partner and to make sure each of you are looking for potential symptoms of heat exhaustion which could lead to a heat stroke.

“For heat exhaustion you’re thinking of headache, dizziness, nausea, those are some of the earlier signs, all the way to heat stroke which you can have seizures, coma, where you can’t tell that you’re at that point,” Mehrotra said. “Your body is starting to shut down, you actually stop perspiring so you’re no longer sweating.”

If someone seems to be experiencing these symptoms, Mehrotra says to first make sure you are safe, and then help the person in need by getting them indoors and hydrated with cool water.

If someone’s symptoms are not improving or they begin to show more signs of heat exhaustion, Mehrotra says to call 911 for professional care.

Related Stories
‹
I-85 Reopened in Orange County
All northbound lanes of I-85 are now open.**** I-85 northbound is closed Thursday after a wreck during the aftermath of a major winter storm. The interstate is closed just past the NC-86 exit near mile mark 168. One lane was reopened for a short time Thursday morning before the road was closed once again. […]
Orange County Under Winter Storm Warning
NWS officials upgraded Orange County from a Winter Weather Advisory to a Winter Storm Warning on Friday afternoon. The warning is in effect until 4 p.m. Saturday.**** A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Orange County from nine o’clock Friday morning until four o’clock Saturday afternoon. The advisory from the National Weather Service […]
Cold Front To Bring Frozen Precipitation
National Weather Service Senior Forecaster Scott Sharp says once the cold front moves through the Triangle between 7:00 and 7:30 Monday morning, we should expect rain to switch to sleet at about midday.
Checking In With Your Community
Duke Energy Spokesperson Megan Musgrave https://chapelboroaudio.s3.amazonaws.com/2014/02/13/snow%20update%20duke%20MEGAN%20MUSGRAVE%20edited.mp3 Chapel Hill Transit Director Brian Litchfield https://chapelboroaudio.s3.amazonaws.com/2014/02/13/snow%20update%202%20BRIAN%20LITCHFIELD%20edited.mp3 Orange County Public Affairs Director Carla Banks https://chapelboroaudio.s3.amazonaws.com/2014/02/13/snow%20update%20CARLA%20BANKS%20edited.mp3 Chapel Hill Police Chief Chris Blue https://chapelboroaudio.s3.amazonaws.com/2014/02/13/snow%20update%20CHRIS%20BLUE%20edited.mp3 Carrboro Mayor Lydia Lavelle https://chapelboroaudio.s3.amazonaws.com/2014/02/13/snow%20update%20LYDIA%20LAVELLE%20edited.mp3 Hillsborough Mayor Tom Stevens https://chapelboroaudio.s3.amazonaws.com/2014/02/13/snow%20update%20TOM%20STEVENS%20edited.mp3 Carrboro Police Chief Walter Horton https://chapelboroaudio.s3.amazonaws.com/2014/02/13/snow%20update%20WALTER%20HORTON%20edited.mp3
What's Open or Closed on Labor Day? Holiday to Impact Local Government Services
Monday marks the observance of Labor Day, which is meant to celebrate the contribution of workers and employees across the United States. With that, the local governments in Orange County will be giving many of their employees the day off, which will affect certain local government services. Ahead of the holiday on Monday, Sep. 7, […]
Endswell Funeral Home Expanding to Chapel Hill with Art Gallery, Memorial Space
Opening an art gallery is just the latest example of Endswell Funeral Home attempting to stand out from the traditional experience.
The Morning News: Mark Chilton Retiring, UNC Returning
In today's news: longtime Orange County Register of Deeds Mark Chilton announces he's stepping down, a few months before the end of his term.
Red Cross Declares Blood Crisis: Here's Where You Can Donate Locally
The American Red Cross is calling for immediate blood donations, declaring a national blood crisis for the second time in history.
Celebration of Independence Day to Alter Local Government Services in Orange County
The celebration of Independence Day on Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4 will affect several local government services in and around Orange County. Here’s a look at what typical services will and won’t be happening during the weekend: Town of Chapel Hill All Chapel Hill administrative offices will be closed Friday, July 3, as […]
Drone Shows and Parades: Here's What to Know Before Orange County's July 4 Celebrations
A variety of July 4 festivities are set to take place across Orange County. Here's how local governments are celebrating.
›