The heat is on and it’s only going to get worse as the week continues as temperatures continue to push toward 100.
Heat indexes will ranger between 105 and 110 through Saturday.
With temperatures this high, heat exhaustion can set in quickly.
Medical experts are warning people not to over-exert themselves during the heatwave.
Family practitioner Dr. Kevin Wong tells The Big K Morning Show says to not over-exert yourself when the heat index is over 70.
“That temperature and humidity takes a lot more out of your system than you think,” said Wong.
And, when the heat index is above 90 degrees, the heat poses a significant health risk for everybody but especially children.
Rich Sullivan, an Emergency Physician with Allegheny Health Network says to make sure children are well hydrated before beginning an activity and check on them more frequently, if they are outside playing.
Children are more susceptible to heat illness compared to adults because they have more trouble regulating their body temperature.
Sullivan adds they see an increase in ER trips with high school athletes in the summer months, especially when football camps begin.
Some estimates say roughly 9,000 high school athletes are treated for heat illness every year across the country.
If your work keeps you outside, how do they deal with the heat.
Even though working in the heat is challenging, it doesn’t stop people like construction workers.
Joe Potocnik, owner of J.P. Roofing says when he crews are working on a roof, it’s typically 10 degrees higher compared to on the ground.
He says they shorten the amount of time their workers are in the heat, make sure they’re hydrated and provide plenty of opportunities to get out of the sun.
The extreme heat is also dangerous for those that don’t have a home.
Leaders at the Light of Life Rescue Mission are taking proactive measures to mitigate the impact of this heat wave on the homeless population.
Executive Director Jerrel Gilliam was a guest on the Big K Morning Show. He says they have special outreaches to encampments and other places where people are staying to help get them out of the heat.
They also bring water to those locations to keep people hydrated.
He says they're encouraging everyone to visit their cooling center at their Voeghtly Street Shelter for a break from the heat. They're also providing lighter-weight clothing as needed.