Madison Pros Tell You How to Beat This Heat

This past holiday weekend was a scorcher, with Monday being the hottest of all.

But that was only the beginning, as Tuesday will top those temperatures and Wednesday is expected to be another dangerously hot day.

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Tuesday in Morris County, which took effect at noon and will continue through 8 p.m. Tuesday evening. The advisory also says record temperatures of near 100 degrees are forecast, and the heat index should rise to between 100 and 105 degrees Tuesday afternoon.

The advisory continues by saying similar heat index values could occur on Wednesday afternoon, and it may become necessary to extend the heat advisory another day.

The weather forecast for Madison Tuesday was for highs in the upper 90s, with heat index values up to 103.

Madison Volunteer Ambulance Corps Captain Jim DeVico says there are a number of things residents can do to keep safe in these conditions

• "If you are exercising in the heat, drink lots of water to keep yourself hydrated and reduce the amount of time you are exposed to the heat," DeVico said. "Try to exercise at a gym, or indoors with air conditioning."
• Keeping yourself well hydrated by drinking lots of water.  "The first signs of dehydration could be muscle cramps and tenting of the skin," DeVico said. "Tenting of the skin can be tested by pinching yourself and if the skin does not retract back to its normal position, you may be dehydrated."
• "Try to avoid drinking excessive amounts of fluid with caffeine and/or sugar, as well as alcohol," DeVico said. Drinking any of these can cause you to urinate more frequently and can cause a person to dehydrate more quickly.  Residents should drink water or fluids with electrolytes such as sport drinks.
• Try to stay indoors with air conditioning if possible. "The excessive heat can cause respiratory issues, especially with the elderly and patients who have chronic respiratory illnesses such as asthma," DeVico said. "If you do experience a respiratory problem or any other medical emergency, call 911."

The National Weather Service says the heat should ease on Thursday, but in the meantime these tips from the Madison Volunteer Ambulance Corps can help beat the extreme heat.