Mercury May Hit Triple Digits Today

Temperatures in and around the Lake Minnetonka area are expected to approach 100 degrees today, and an excessive heat warning issued by the National Weather Service over the weekend remains in effect through tonight.

Wednesday's sizzling temperatures follow several days of heat and humidity that set new records throughout the Metro area and have residents looking for relief. 

That relief may not be far off, as humidity is expected to decrease and temperatures dip slightly through the end of this week.

Today's sizzling heat is not just an inconvenience. It’s a health hazard. According to the NWS, heat is the number one weather-related killer in the United States. Excessive heat claims an average of 162 lives per year — more than floods, lightning, tornadoes and hurricanes combined.

Here are some tips to beat the heat:

• Slow down. Go easy on strenuous exercise or outdoor household work until coolest time of the day. Children, the elderly and anyone with health problems should stay in the coolest possible place.

• Dress down in lightweight, light-colored clothing to reflect heat and sunlight.

• Eat light. Heavy foods, like meat and other proteins, increase metabolic heat production also contribute to water loss.

• Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and caffeine.

• Beware of your car, which could become a death trap. Do not leave children or pets unattended in a car during a heat spell.

• To the mall! Try to stay in an air-conditioned place. If you don’t have air conditioning at home go to a library, store or other location with air conditioning for part of the day.

• Do not take salt tablets unless your physician recommends it.

• Be on the lookout for symptoms of a heat disorder, especially in children, the sick and the elderly — all of whom are especially vulnerable to high temperatures. Generally, the body sheds heat by circulatory changes and sweating. The body’s cooling system can become overtaxed in extreme heat. Excessive sweating can cause a dangerous chemical (salt) imbalance in the body. This generally occurs when the individual has stayed out in the heat too long or exercised too much for his or her age and physical condition.

Here are some things to watch for:

- Sunburn 

- Heat cramps (painful spasms in the muscles of legs and abdomen).

- Heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion is characterized by heavy sweating, weakness, cold and clammy skin, fainting and vomiting. To alleviate heat exhaustion, get the victim inside and out of the sun. Lay them down and apply cool, wet cloths. Give them sips of water, though do not force it if nausea occurs. If vomiting continues, seek medical attention immediately.

- Heat stroke. On the spectrum of heat-related illnesses, heat stroke is the most serious. Those suffering from heat stroke will have a high body temperature (106° F or higher), hot, dry skin and a rapid pulse. They may also fall unconscious. This is a severe medical emergency. Call and ambulance or get the victim to a hospital ASAP if these symptoms occur. Any delay could be deadly.

 In the meantime, try to cool their body temperature with a cold bath or sponging. Do not give fluids.