Another heat wave is expected to hit King County later this week, and temperatures are forecast to hover in the high 90s on Thursday and Friday (Aug. 12-13). The National Weather Service listed an excessive heat warning beginning Wednesday, Aug. 11.
This will be the second time this summer that temperatures will reach the upper 90s in King County.
As with the previous heat wave, the extreme temperatures can pose serious public health risks. The Department of Health recorded around 80 heat-related deaths that occurred during the heat wave in June.
Extreme heat can cause a variety of heat-related illnesses, the most serious being heatstroke, an illness that can be fatal if not treated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Young children, the elderly, low-income populations and outdoor workers have a higher risk of getting a heat-related illness such as heatstroke, according to the CDC.
Drinking copious amounts of water, remaining indoors in a cool space and minimizing physical exertion are the best ways to avoid heat-related illness, according to the state Department of Health.
The symptoms of heatstroke include a temperature of 103 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, skin that is hot and red, fast pulse, headache, and nausea, according to the CDC. If someone is exhibiting these symptoms, call 911 immediately, move the person to a cooler area, put cool, damp towels on them, but don’t give them anything to drink, according to the CDC. For more information on identifying and treating heat-related illnesses, visit the CDC website.
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