EMSA Reminds Oklahomans About Danger Of 'Fatal Heat'

Most of us think it's just hot outside, but EMSA is reminding everyone the heat can be fatal.

EMSA already has treated 70 patients this summer for heat-related illness.

It's a much cooler summer night now, but EMSA issued a medical heat alert on Sunday.

That means it treated at least five patients in the past 24 hours for heat-related illness.

We all have our ways of keeping cool.

But Kelli Bruer with EMSA says there's a lot more to beating the heat.

"Heat can be fatal,” she said. “It's not something to be messed with."

Bruer said never lock a child or pet in a car.

She advises to seek refuge in shade, hydrate, wear sunscreen and dress appropriately.

Like little Rylee, who wore wearing sunscreen and a sun protection swim shirt.

“Sunscreen on my child! My child's white as can be and burns easily, just like me,” mom Gabby Hunt said.”

Water is a great tool for keeping cool, but you can't just play in it, you have to drink it: At least two bottles of water for every hour in the sun.

"Just because you're in the water doesn't mean that you're consuming the water,” Bruer said. “Consuming water is a lot more efficient than absorbing it through your skin."

EMSA identifies heat exhaustion as tightening muscles, heavy sweating, nausea, dizziness, flushed skin and headache.

Bruer said anyone with those symptoms should get to a cooler place, get wet clothing, drink water, lie down and call 911.

Symptoms of a heat stroke can be deadly.

"Perhaps unconsciousness, but extreme dizziness, nauseous, maybe vomiting,” Bruer said. “You have stopped sweating at this point. The body has lost any way to cool itself."

Many moms say they won't let their kids get to that point.

"Today I've just made sure that they have sunblock on and plenty of water to drink," Amanda Jackson said.

EMSA says so far this summer, we are on track to have less heat-related illness than last summer.

The following cooling stations are open for the public until further notice:

The Salvation Army Center of Hope

102 N. Denver Ave.

Tulsa, OK 74103

24/7

Tulsa County Social Services Cooling station

2401 Charles Page Blvd.

Tulsa OK 74127

8:30 am – 8:00 pm

Dennis R. Neill Equality Center

621 East 4th Street

Tulsa, OK 74120

Noon to 9 pm 7days a week

John 3:16 Mission

506 N. Cheyenne

Tulsa, Okla. 74103

24/7

Senior Nutrition sites throughout the Tulsa area are also available as cooling stations. Dial 2-1-1 for locations, hours and other information. Dial 2-1-1 for more information on applying for a free, loaned air conditioning unit.