Here in late August 2024 temperatures are getting close to breaking records and it’s important to take precautions. Just about every day here recently in this area, we have been under an excessive heat warning. Whether you are working, at the beach, fishing, working out, or just out enjoying the outdoors, it is important to know the signs of heat-related illnesses and how to prevent them. Mississippi Emergency Management Agency has sent an Emergency Management 2024 Climate Resiliency Assessment out to counties this week to get information from the local level in response to extreme weather conditions caused by the impacts of climate change. Here lately in Carroll and Montgomery counties we have seen temperatures reaching the high 90s — and sometimes even going around 100 degrees Fahrenheit this summer — this can be a topic of concern. It’s important to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. It’s important to know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Knowing precautions for childrens' safety is important as well. A child left in a hot car can die of heat stroke in minutes.
I remember my dad, Hubert Strachan, had always done outside work when he worked for Delta Electric the entire time of his career spanning almost four decades. He would always drink plenty of water and take plenty of breaks to avoid heat exhaustion and stroke. He retired in 1998 but continued to do extra jobs after retirement. It was always outside work, in 2000 while making it through all those years, it just took one time, and he had a heat stroke. It came on him in the middle of the night after getting too hot and dehydrated that day.
Heat exhaustion is milder and often develops over several days of heat exposure. Drinking plenty of fluids can help prevent heat exhaustion.
It’s important to take extra precautions when working outside and doing outside activities.I remember back two decades ago when Daddy had the heat stroke, resulting in confusion, dizziness, and slurred speech. As soon as these symptoms came on, we got him to Tyler Holmes Memorial Hospital in Winona for treatment, a quick response is essential. Daddy had a full recovery. During these summer months taking precautions during the excessive heat is a must.
Ken Strachan serves as the mayor of North Carrollton is a member of the Mississippi Municipal League board of directors, and serves as Carroll County Emergency Management Director
