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Summer Weather Safety

By Jennifer Green June 25, 2016
As I watch the news coverage of the intense heat wave gripping the desert southwest, I am reminded of the last heat wave I endured while living in Los Angeles. The actual air temperature reached 106 degrees one day and it was so hot, my body felt like it was on fire from the inside out. Of course, my friends in Los Angeles have been keeping me posted on this recent heat wave and it looks like that 106 degrees I lived through has been bested; temps have reached 111 in some places around Los Angeles, and just east of the city, in Palm Desert, it hit 120. 

Ouch.

Thankfully, we don't have to worry about temperatures that crazy high in Pittsburgh, but it is a good reminder that weather can spoil a perfectly lovely summer outing. Here are some things to keep in mind if you're planning a day by the pool, or a vacation at the beach:

  • Summer heat means afternoon storms, and these can develop quickly, so keep an eye to the sky. Better yet, download a weather app on your phone (the AccuWeather and Weather Channel apps are popular) so you can monitor the weather in real time. A weather radio app is also a good idea because it will alert you via an audio tone if a weather warning has been issued for your area. 
  • Take storms (and lightning) seriously. If you hear thunder, you're close enough to the storm to be at risk of a lightning strike (lightning can travel 10 miles out from a cloud). Teach your kids the saying "when thunder roars, go indoors".
  • If you're outdoors and a storm approaches, get inside (shelter means four walls and a roof- outdoor pavilions with no walls are not safe). If you can't get inside, get in a vehicle. If you're caught outside in a storm, avoid tall, isolated objects like trees or street lamps and avoid open fields. DO NOT SEEK SHELTER UNDER A TREE. Did you know there are multiple ways to be hit by lightning? Check out this National Weather Service page for more. 
  • A storm with heavy rainfall can lead to flooding. Avoid the temptation to drive on a flooded roadway. It takes just 12 inches of fast-moving water to carry away a small car (about 2 feet of rushing water can carry away most types of vehicles). Many flood deaths occur in vehicles, so don't underestimate the force of the water in front of you. Flash flooding is actually the number one killer during severe weather.
  • Heading to the beach? Be aware that the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th. Monitor the weather for the week before your departure so you know if there are any storms brewing that could spell trouble for your vacation. Have a back-up plan just in case a storm threatens and you need to make some last minute changes to your itinerary. And if you happen to find you and your family in the path of a storm, monitor local media for continuing updates and heed all evacuation orders. 
  • Be smart about the heat. If you're going to be outdoors in the sun and hot weather for long periods of time, wear loose-fitting, light colored clothing. Take frequent breaks, and get into the shade as much as possible. Drink water and avoid alcohol. Know the signs of heat illness. This is especially important if your little ones are running around a lot outside. Kids are often having too much fun to notice that they're not feeling good, so watch them carefully. Check out NOAA's guide for heat safety here for more info. 
  • Be aware of air quality alerts. Poor air quality can cause asthma attacks, irritation of the nose, throat and eyes, cardiovascular problems such as heart attacks, and other respiratory issues.