Photo by Vaughn Willis vis stock.xchng
The following is a press release from the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department-Division of Emergency Management:
Kenosha County Executive Jim Kreuser has joined with Governor Walker in proclaiming June 13, 2013, as Wisconsin Heat Awareness Day. “People need to know that heat can kill so I want to take this time to remind residence of Kenosha County about the danger associated with extreme heat and promote safety measures.” Kreuser said. “Heat is America’s Number One Weather related killer and knowing what you can do to stay cool can save your life.” In 2012, Wisconsin had confirmed 24 heat related deaths, most occurred during five days of Excessive Heat Warnings from July 2-6. The heat index rose to 105 F degrees for 48 hours with night time lows of 75 f. It was the second hottest and third longest heat wave in Wisconsin. None of the victims had air conditioning and did not seek shelter at one of the many cooling centers which opened around the state. “In 2011, excessive heat claimed 5 lives and injured more than 100 people in Wisconsin during the July 18 – 21 heat wave,” stated Lt. Ed VanTine, Director of Kenosha County Emergency Management. The combination of the warm temperatures and high humidity caused the heat index to rise between 100 F and 117 F degrees. Summer heat waves have been the biggest weather-related killers in Wisconsin for the past 50 years, far exceeding tornadoes, severe storms and floods combined. People who have a high risk of heat-related illness include: • Older adults • Infants and young children • People with chronic heart or lung problems • People with disabilities • Overweight people • Those who work outdoors or in hot settings • Users of some medications, especially those taken for mental disorders, movement disorder, allergies, depression and heart or circulatory problems • People who are isolated that don’t know when or how to cool off – or when to call for help.
