Officials urge caution as heat wave approaches
SIKESTON, Mo. (KBSI) – As temperatures are forecast to sore over much of the region throughout the weekend and into next week officials are encouraging residents to know what to do and where to go to stay cool.
This weekend is a big weekend for events for many areas and it’s also the first official weekend of summer.
Sikeston DPS Seargeant Tyler Rowe, shares that the city of Sikeston has several parks with shade, splash pads and water for anyone who needs to use it. Cape Girardeau also has a splash pad and park with water readily available.
Rowe shares that staying hydrated and knowing the signs of becoming overheated are vital as we enter into higher temperatures.
“Just understanding the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat exhaustion you’re going to have excessive sweating, nausea, you might vomit, muscle cramps and knowing that this is just when you need to slow down” says Rowe. “Find a cool place to cool off if you need to go inside to the AC. A cold compress on the back and utilizing liquids. Now if someone is having heat stroke, they’re not going to be sweating at all, they’re going to have a severe migraine, they might even lose consciousness. Thats going to be a great time to call 911.”
The Salvation Army of Cape Girardeau is open during the day as a cooling center, and most public libraries can also be used a cooling center during the hours they are open.
Many more people are outside and enjoying activities during the summer and Rowe says watching out for yourself and others in the heat can be vital, but departments are there to help.
“If you see anyone kind of suffering than make sure you help them get to a cool place, calm them down if you need to, if you’re out at the hot air balloon festival try to find one of our officers or an emergency medical professional or if your down at the Juneteenth celebration make sure you do find one of our officers there and we can assist in any way possible or have EMS started that way but really take care of yourself and try not to over exert yourself with it being as hot as the temperatures will be this weekend” says Rowe.
