AccuWeather's preparedness expert, Tom Bedard, breaks down the most important things to keep in mind to stay safe in the heat.
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00:00 As temperatures climb, extreme heat remains a threat to people enjoying some time outside,
00:06 especially with all the outdoor activities.
00:08 The National Park Service said that in June, more people have died from extreme heat in
00:14 national parks than normally would during a typical calendar year.
00:18 And as millions face triple-digit heat, AccuWeather meteorologist and preparedness expert Tom
00:22 Bedard joins us to talk about what we need to know to stay safe.
00:26 Hey, Tom, I'm wondering a lot about camping.
00:29 It seems like it's so challenging for those that want to get out, enjoy some time as we've
00:34 kind of learned from COVID, getting out and about.
00:38 How do we stay safe, especially when it comes to heat and camping?
00:42 It is really challenging this year.
00:44 We have seen records broken all over the place.
00:46 So the traditional approaches to going out and just getting through it don't work this
00:51 year.
00:52 It all starts with acclimation, Melissa, being out there in the heat a couple of days, weeks
00:56 ahead of it so that you're used to that heat and it's not your first shot to the system
01:00 as you head up the trail.
01:02 Even being outdoors, sitting in the sun like that individual just sitting there is kind
01:07 of dangerous because you may not be exposed to the heat.
01:09 We are all out in air conditioning most of the time.
01:12 So going out, you need to have good shade and be prepared for what that heat and humidity
01:17 is going to do to you.
01:20 Now I know a lot of us have family and especially for the little ones.
01:23 Are there any extra things that we can do to keep our young children safe since they
01:29 tend to be more sensitive and including the elderly too, but focusing on both of our family
01:34 ties?
01:35 Yeah, that's a great question to ask.
01:38 A lot of cities are making municipal resources available.
01:41 The key to those who are young or old or predisposed to heat-related emergencies is getting into
01:46 an area with cooler air, whether that is a city bus that's air conditioned, libraries,
01:52 city buildings, or getting someplace where you simply have some water to cool off.
01:56 Make use of what resources the cities have available so that you can stay in a cooler
02:00 environment.
02:01 If you can't avoid the heat because it will eventually pass, even though it doesn't feel
02:04 that way, do avoid the heat, especially Melissa, if you are one of those populations that you
02:09 just mentioned.
02:11 Real quickly, what about our pets?
02:14 Keep them off of that hot blacktop or hot cement.
02:18 If the surface is too hot for the back of your hand, too hot for them to be there.
02:23 Keep them cool, keep them hot.
02:24 Same thing with us.
02:25 Make sure you can keep them in the shade and keep them hydrated.
02:29 All great tips there as we continue to talk about this heat through summer.
02:34 We know here in Wichita, it's hot there too, so stay cool, Tom, and thanks for joining