Turning up the heat

OUR VIEW

Published on Friday, June 26, 2009 9:22 AM CDT

Print this story | Email this story | Post A Comment |

A ST. TAMMANY NEWS EDITORIAL

Maybe it is global warming, or maybe it is just a freakish act of nature, but whatever the cause, everybody agrees that it is just too darned hot out there. Wednesday, it was 100 degrees in Slidell. New Orleans broke an all-time record with 104 degrees at Audubon Park. Hammond was up to 106.

The incredible heat and lack of rainfall has forced the parish and the state to order a burn ban. But fires are not the only danger. With temperatures climbing over 100, we should all be careful not to get heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Make sure you don’t stay outside at the hottest time of the day. Don’t do heavy work until it has cooled down a bit. Check up on elderly neighbors to make sure they are cool enough. Drink a lot of water, wear light-colored clothing and a hat, and don’t forget that sunscreen. Keep the children inside.

If they insist on going outdoors, make sure they are protected, and keep an eye on them for signs of heat exhaustion. Above all, never leave a child or baby inside a parked car with the windows rolled up. That can be fatal. The same can be said for leaving pets in a hot sealed car.

Heat is not just an inconvenience, it can be a health hazard. So please be careful. Also with the burn ban in place, be extra careful with barbecues, matches, cigarettes, and above all, fireworks.

Yes, it is close to the Fourth of July, and the firework stands in unincorporated St. Tammany Parish are opening up, but is a wildfire worth a few seconds of fun with fireworks? We don’t think so. Just be careful.

Print this story | Email this story | Post A Comment |

Comments

No comments posted.

WRITE A COMMENT

Use the form below to post a brief comment to this story, or respond to other readers. Please use the word count tool to assist you in keeping your remarks to 100 words or fewer.

Comment posters are responsible for the opinions they express and the accuracy of the information they provide. We urge comment writers to treat this as a public forum where manners matter. We encourage a collegial, non-insulting tone. All readers comments must be approved by our staff before posting to the Web site. They review submitted comments periodically during the day for offensive or off-topic content before posting. Be aware, in accordance with the Communications Decency Act and provisions upheld in judicial appeal, that you are responsible for comments posted on this Web site. The St. Tammany News is not liable for messages from third parties.

DO NOT POST:
* Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo.
* Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
* Personal attacks, insults or threats.
* The use of another person's real name to disguise your identity.
* Comments unrelated to the story.
* Personal Information (phone numbers, addresses, etc.)

Opinions, advice and all other information expressed in thesttammanynews.com's reader comments represent the individual's own views and not necessarily those of the St. Tammany News. The St. Tammany News does not endorse and is not responsible for statements, advice or opinions offered by anyone other than authorized St. Tammany News spokespersons.

Your thoughtful contribution to the online discussion is appreciated.