EMSA Urging Caution While Outdoors In The Heat

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- It's hot and it's going to get even hotter this week. 

In Tulsa, EMSA has already taken a couple of heat related calls over the past few days, and paramedics are preparing for more as the mercury rises.

In Oklahoma City, EMSA officials have issued a heat alert. A heat alert is issued after they have received five or more heat related emergency calls in a 24 hour period, and they are advising people to use "extreme caution when going outdoors."

"With the holiday weekend, everyone's eager to get out in, this is probably one of the warmer weekends we've had so far. So people aren't really planning for heat. They're planning for festivities and activities," said Colin Roy, EMSA Spokesman.

Paramedics warn it takes the body a few days to acclimate to higher temperatures.

Paramedics said it is extremely important to drink plenty of water and avoid going out in the blazing heat, if possible.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

• being dizzy, tired or weak
•  fainting spells
• getting flushed
• heavy sweating
• fast heartbeat

Paramedics recommend calling 911 if these systems persist for about an hour after someone moves into a cool place.