Extreme Heat Watch: Safety Tips For Steamy Weekend Ahead

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PITTSBURGH (NewsRadio 1020 KDKA) — The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Watch for the Pittsburgh region from Friday afternoon into early evening, and again Saturday afternoon into early evening.

We could see heat indexes up to 104 degrees due to temperatures in the lower 90s coupled with high humidity. 

Here is the expected maximum heat index for Friday AND Saturday. Please practice heat safety--limit your outdoor activities, drink plenty of water, and make sure you, your babies, and your furbabies stay out of hot cars. #heatsafety pic.twitter.com/2TWgqoZTnh

— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) July 18, 2019

Allegheny County Health Department Director Dr. Karen Hacker told KDKA Radio’s Lynne Hayes-Freeland what symptoms residents should keep an eye out for, especially those with any medical conditions.

“First you start to see muscle pains and spasms and a lot of sweating and paleness and dizziness; those are the types of symptoms you should be worried about.”

She suggests wearing loose clothing and staying hydrated.

“Hydration is a really big part of it, but also trying to be in a place where it tends to be a little bit darker,” Hacker says.

“Close your windows earlier in the morning, making sure you have fans or that you hopefully have an air conditioner available or you know someone who does.”

For those that don’t, some Citiparks Healthy Active Living Centers will serve as cooling centers on Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

LOCATIONS:            

  • Greenfield Healthy Active Living (Senior) Center, 745 Greenfield Avenue  412.422.6551 
  • Homewood Healthy Active Living (Senior) Center, 7321 Frankstown Avenue  412.244.4190 
  • West End Healthy Active Living (Senior) Center, 80 Wabash Avenue  412.937.3068 

These centers are open to everyone when operating as cooling centers, not just seniors.

Hacker suggests checking on neighbors who live alone, especially the elderly or those with any medical conditions. 

The city's outdoor swimming pools and Spray Parks are also open, weather permitting.

___Jennifer Bloodworth contributed to this story.

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