Heat Wave Is On The Way For The Weekend
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- You may not have known by the weather Thursday, but a heat wave is coming.
Extreme heat is expected in Minnesota over the weekend and into next week.
The Hennepin County Medical Center said Thursday if you do make plans to be outside, watch for heatstroke. It can impact children, the elderly and even dogs in deadly ways.
George Edellstein owns a 60-pound Shepard-Pit Bull mix named Duce. He said the dog can barely walk when it gets really hot out.
"When it gets hot, he can't even go a block," said Edellstein.
"If you're uncomfortable, so is your dog," said Dr. Lisa Lindesmoth from All Paws Animal Hospital in St. Louis Park. "Dogs in particular only get rid of heat through panting, they have some sweat glands on the pads of their paws."
Lindesmoth said she recommends ice water or ice cubes to get dogs cooled down.
Here are some other tips to beat the hot conditions we are expecting. Heat indexes are expected to be well in excess of 100 degrees throughout the weekend and into next week.
- Stay cool – if you don't have air conditioning in your home, go to a shopping mall, restaurant, library or movie theater to stay cool.
- Drink plenty of water (even if you're not thirsty!). Avoid drinking alcohol!
- Check on elderly friends and family members or those who have health concerns to make sure they are adequately hydrated and cared for.
- Avoid heavy exercise – especially during the hottest times of the day.
- Seek medical attention – if you have these signs of hyperthermia: Confusion, inability to perspire, combativeness, fainting, rapid pulse, flushed skin, delirium.
