Heat indexes predicted to be above 100 degrees all week, and emergency management personnel are asking people to plan ahead.
Putnam EMS Director Tommy Copeland said one of the worst, but most common mistakes is leaving pets, children, and the elderly in a vehicle.
“Yes it can happen to people, but you should be very cognizant, if you have to do a sign or whatever, making sure you don’t leave your kids or your pets in the vehicle,” Copeland said. “Because it’s going to become very bad very quickly on a day as hot as it is projected.”
Copeland said that in these kinds of temperatures, even a cracked window has little chance of helping. He said not only that but leaving a window cracked or a car running puts you more at risk for a break-in.
Copeland said the safest and smartest thing to do, is to leave those vulnerable at home. He said his department has already responded to several heat-related illness calls this week.
“At your work or in the case of kids, playtime, do stuff early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures are not quite as bad,” Copeland said. “Make sure you’re hydrating, wear light-colored clothes, find shade, if you’re going to work or play or whatever try to limit those times. Work for 15 minutes and then take a break in the air condition or shade or whatever you have available.”
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