Chickens, livestock and people have suffered the past few days as record heat and advisories have signaled the need for caution.

Phil Grigsby of the National Weather Service said yesterday that Monday was a record-breaker in Slidell at 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Yesterday was expected to be another scorcher as the record was only 94. The temperature at 10:30 a.m. was already at 90 with a heat index of 104. The worst type of heat, an excessive heat warning was scheduled to end at 10 p.m. Tuesday.

Grigsby said relief is on the way, with thunderstorm activity forecasted to increase the rest of this week, bringing an end to the worst-case scenario heat.

Workers help spread and pack asphalt on the corner of 24th and Jefferson avenues in Covington as part of the city’s overlay project. (Staff Photo by Debbie Glover)

He expects a heat advisory to continue, however.

Terminology can be confusing, so here are some pointers:

• A heat advisory is issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service within 12 hours of the onset of either a heat index of at least 105 degrees Fahrenheit, but less than 115 degrees Fahrenheit for less than three hours per day; or night time lows above 80 degrees for two consecutive days.

• An excessive heat watch is issued when heat indices in excess of 105 degrees Fahrenheit during the day combined with night temperatures of 80 degrees F or higher are forecast to occur for two consecutive days.

• An excessive heat warning is issued within 12 hours of the onset of a heat index of at least 105 degrees for more than three hours per day for two consecutive days or a heat index of more than 115 degrees for any period of time.

In order to avoid heat cramps, heat exhaustion or heat stroke, everyone should remember to take the necessary precautions including the following:

Wear light-colored, loose-fitting, breathable clothing such as cotton; avoid non-breathing synthetic clothing; gradually build up to heavy work; schedule heavy work during the coolest parts of the day; take more breaks in extreme heat and humidity; take breaks in the shade or a cool area whenever possible; drink water frequently—drink enough water that you never become thirsty; avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol and large amounts of sugar; be aware that protective clothing or personal protective equipment may increase the risk of heat stress; and monitor your physical condition.

In addition, employers should schedule hot jobs for the cooler part of the day; acclimatize workers by exposing them for progressively longer periods to hot work environments; reduce the physical demands of workers; use relief workers or assign extra workers for physically demanding jobs; provide cool water or liquids to drink; avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol or large amounts of sugar; provide rest periods with water breaks; provide cool areas for use in rest periods; monitor workers who are at risk of heat stress; and provide heat stress training that includes information about risk, prevention, symptoms, treatment, personal protective equipment and monitoring yourself and co-workers for symptoms.

Pregnant women need to take special precautions. Ochsner Medical Center Northshore Chief of OB/GYN Dr. Blake Landry, offers these tips to expectant mothers to stay cool this summer: drink six to eight 8-oz. glasses of water every day; exercise indoors as much as possible with doctor-approved exercises only; run errands in the early morning hours when temperatures are cooler; take frequent breaks during the day; wear light, loose-fitting clothing; and carry a small mist bottle of water to cool off periodically.

“Louisiana’s heat and humidity makes it easy to lose fluids due to perspiration. Oftentimes we are not aware of how much fluid we are actually losing, thus increasing the risk of dehydration,” Landry said.

Dehydration in pregnant women is dangerous as it can increase the risk for premature contractions which could cause early labor and the amniotic fluid levels can drop, posing a risk to the baby’s well-being.

Landry also recommends a good sunscreen with a sun block to prevent skin cancer.

Another risk in the summer for everyone is heat stroke or heat-related symptoms. Landry said women should pay attention to their bodies and contact their physician if they suspect any signs of heat stroke, such as difficulty breathing, rapid pulse, flushed skin, absence of sweating or confusion and disorientation.

Heatstroke

Symptoms of heatstroke include the following:

• Hot, dry skin with no sweating;

• Confusion, dizziness or hallucinations;

• High body temperature;

• Slurred speech; and

• Throbbing headache.

First aid for heatstroke includes calling 911; move the person to a cool, shaded area; and cool off the person by soaking his clothes with water; spraying, sponging or showering him with water; or fanning his body.

Heat exahuastion

Heat exhaustion symptoms include:

• Heavy sweating;

• Extreme weakness or fatigue;

• Dizziness, confusion;

• Nausea;

• Clammy moist skin;

• Pale or flushed complexion;

• Muscle cramps;

• Slightly elevated body temperature; and

• Fast and shallow breathing.

First aid for heat exhaustion includes moving the person to a cool, shaded area; have them drink plenty of water or other cool, nonalcoholic beverages; and take a cool shower, bath or sponge bath.

When doing any physical activity in the heat, remember — take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water to keep hydrated.

Don’t forget your livestock or pets, either. Remember to provide them with shade and plenty of water to keep them hydrated.

“The dog days of summer” are upon use and even if the excessive heat warning is dropped, the heat advisory will be with us in the foreseeable future. Stay cool, drink plenty of liquids and avoid exertion in the heat of the day.