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Independence, MO —
Here’s what you need to know to get through the weekend and then through to Independence Day: Take it easy, and drink lots of water. Certainly no outdoor fires. And think twice before setting off the fireworks.
Let’s take those one at a time.
The excessive heat warning that’s been in effect for the last few days runs through 7 p.m. this evening, though officials have hinted at extending it because conditions are only going to ease up a little. The National Weather Service sees highs and lows of 101 and 77 today, then 98/76 Sunday, 97/77 Monday, 98/78 Tuesday and 99/77 for the Fourth of July. And back to 100 on Thursday.
And no rain for at least a week.
All of that prompted Independence on Friday to issue a burn ban, as has the Fort Osage Fire Protection District. For Independence, that means no open fires or outside burning, except residential barbecuing. Fireworks are still legal – starting Tuesday. The fire chief has the authority to ban fireworks, an issue officials are looking at, but that hasn’t happened yet.
In Independence, fireworks can be used from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m. to midnight on the Fourth, and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday.
It’s similar in Blue Springs: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday, and 10 a.m. to midnight on the Fourth. The Central Jackson County Fire Protection District is passing out fliers at the city’s 18 fireworks tents, cautioning people about safety amid the state’s worsening drought.
For those who need to blast away, officials advise caution. Have an adult keep an eye on things. Read the directions, and light fireworks on a hard, flat surface. Have something – a bucket of water, a hose hooked up to the house – nearby to tackle any problems. If one’s a dud, don’t try to relight it. And in Independence, for example, it’s against the law to shoot fireworks within 600 feet of a school, church or hospital. Keep fireworks away from pets, some of whom can be traumatized by the noise.
The backdrop of all this is the hot, dry weather. Residents are reminded stay indoors when they can and drink plenty of water. Caffeine, sugar and alcohol all have effects on the body that the heat worsens. If you have to work outdoors, do it before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m. Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Wear light, loose-fitting and light-colored clothing. Take frequent breaks.
Here’s what you need to know to get through the weekend and then through to Independence Day: Take it easy, and drink lots of water. Certainly no outdoor fires. And think twice before setting off the fireworks.
Let’s take those one at a time.
The excessive heat warning that’s been in effect for the last few days runs through 7 p.m. this evening, though officials have hinted at extending it because conditions are only going to ease up a little. The National Weather Service sees highs and lows of 101 and 77 today, then 98/76 Sunday, 97/77 Monday, 98/78 Tuesday and 99/77 for the Fourth of July. And back to 100 on Thursday.
And no rain for at least a week.
All of that prompted Independence on Friday to issue a burn ban, as has the Fort Osage Fire Protection District. For Independence, that means no open fires or outside burning, except residential barbecuing. Fireworks are still legal – starting Tuesday. The fire chief has the authority to ban fireworks, an issue officials are looking at, but that hasn’t happened yet.
In Independence, fireworks can be used from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m. to midnight on the Fourth, and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday.
It’s similar in Blue Springs: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday, and 10 a.m. to midnight on the Fourth. The Central Jackson County Fire Protection District is passing out fliers at the city’s 18 fireworks tents, cautioning people about safety amid the state’s worsening drought.
For those who need to blast away, officials advise caution. Have an adult keep an eye on things. Read the directions, and light fireworks on a hard, flat surface. Have something – a bucket of water, a hose hooked up to the house – nearby to tackle any problems. If one’s a dud, don’t try to relight it. And in Independence, for example, it’s against the law to shoot fireworks within 600 feet of a school, church or hospital. Keep fireworks away from pets, some of whom can be traumatized by the noise.
The backdrop of all this is the hot, dry weather. Residents are reminded stay indoors when they can and drink plenty of water. Caffeine, sugar and alcohol all have effects on the body that the heat worsens. If you have to work outdoors, do it before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m. Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Wear light, loose-fitting and light-colored clothing. Take frequent breaks.
For most of the week, the area has been under an ozone alert, meaning people were asked to put off mowing the lawn and doing other work with gas-powered equipment. Those devices put out a lot of pollution, as does driving, and that in combination with the abundant sunshine and light breezes means the creation and accumulation of ozone, which worsens asthma and similar conditions. There is no ozone alert for Saturday, so hit the lawn early or late – not mid-day – take a jug of ice water with you.
When it’s this hot, a fan blowing around air in an non-air-conditioned house can actually make things worse by moving around all that hot air. Getting into an air-conditioned space – even for a couple of hours – makes a big difference. Vesper Hall in Blue Springs (816-228-0181) and the Salvation Army in Independence (816-252-3200) have opened as heat shelters.
Don’t overlook the pets. Outdoor animals need shade and plenty of fresh water.
One more thing: Know the signs of heat exhaustion and the potentially deadly heat stroke.
Heat exhaustion happens when your bodily loses a lot of fluid, through perspiration. Symptoms are cool, moist, pale, ashen or flushed skin; headache; dizziness, nausea; weakness or exhaustion; and heavy sweating. Get out of the heat, rest in a cool, shady – or air conditioned – place, and drink small amounts of water. Loosen your clothing, and apply wet towels.
If unable to drink water, or if vomiting starts, call 911.
This can worsen into heat stoke, when the body loses its ability to regulate heat. It’s a medical emergency. Symptoms are red skin – dry or moist – changes in consciousness, a rapid and weak pulse, and rapid, shallow breathing. Call 911, and treat the same as with heat exhaustion. The Red Cross suggests four ounces of water – that’s half a cup – every 15 minutes.
As it happens, this week was National Summer Weather Safety Week, and officials point out that as bad as tornadoes, flash floods and lightning are, it’s heat that causes more than 1,500 deaths in America annually, easily the No. 1 weather-related killer.
