SAINT CLAIR - Norm Egan wore a pith helmet Thursday to keep the sun out of his eyes as he delivered mail on South Second Street. To keep cool, he carried a wet towel around his arm.
"It's been tough out there," Janel Schaeffer, postal clerk at the Saint Clair office, said Thursday. "There were days this year when they were saying it was a killer."
Schaeffer also said the mail carriers make sure to keep their skin covered and wear plenty of sun block.
"I think they have become pretty accustomed to it," she said. "We just tell them to drink plenty of fluids and, if they are not feeling well, to come back to the office immediately. We make sure to have plenty of water on hand."
The state Department of Health has offered similar tips to stay cool this summer and avoid heat-related illnesses.
Infants and young children are particularly sensitive to extreme heat and should never be left in a parked car, even if the windows are left open. Same goes for pets, as they, too, can suffer heat-related illness.
The elderly and people with chronic medical conditions are also highly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. Particular medications can worsen the impact of extreme heat.
While temperatures have only reached 90 degrees a few times so far this summer, it has still been warmer than normal.
"It hasn't been the persistent warmth we have seen the past few summers, but if you average it out, it is actually warmer than normal," John LaCorte, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service at State College, said Thursday. "Fortunately, we haven't really seen a classic heat wave."
The forecast calls for temperatures to remain in the 80s until next week.
"We are actually, in the middle of next week, going to use the term 'unseasonably cool' for a while," LaCorte said.
Tips to stay healthy and safe include:
- Drink more water than usual and don't wait until you're thirsty to drink.
- Outdoor workers should drink between two and four cups of water every hour while working.
- Avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol or large amounts of sugar.
- Check on a friend or neighbor and have someone do the same for you.
- Check the local news for health and safety updates regularly.
- Don't use the stove or oven to cook--it will make you and your house hotter.
- Stay indoors in air conditioning as much as possible.
- Wear light-colored and loose fitting clothing, a hat, sunglasses and an SPF15 or higher sunscreen.
- Take cool showers or baths to cool down.
- Seek medical care immediately if you or someone you know experiences symptoms of heat-related illness, such as muscle cramps, headaches, nausea or vomiting.
Symptoms of heat stroke:
· An extremely high body temperature (above 103°F)
· Red, hot and dry skin (no sweating)
· Rapid, strong pulse
· Throbbing headache
· Dizziness
· Nausea
· Confusion
· Unconsciousness
If you think someone has heat stroke:
· Call for emergency medical attention
· Get the victim to a shady area
· Cool the person rapidly (put them in a tub of cool water, place them in a cool shower, spray them with a garden hose, sponge them with cool water, etc.)
· Do not give the victim any fluids (like water) to drink
Symptoms of heat exhaustion:
· Heavy sweating
· Paleness (skin is a lighter color than normal)
· Muscle cramps
· Tiredness
· Weakness
· Dizziness
· Headache
· Nausea or vomiting
· Fainting
Seek medical attention if:
· Symptoms are severe
· Symptoms last more than one hour
· The victim has heart problems or high blood pressure