Missoula City-County Health Officer Issues Statement On Heat Safety

Press release from the City of Missoula:

June 28, 2021

Health Officer and Director D’Shane Barnett today announced Missoula County residents should take caution to protect their health amid this week’s heatwave.

“As many of you are aware, the National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory warning for Missoula County in effect from noon Tuesday through 8:00 pm Thursday. Hot temperatures can lead to the occurrence of heat-related illnesses in humans and animals. Please take appropriate precautions to prevent this from happening.

What can you do? Drink plenty of water, reduce your exposure to the sun and heat, wear lightweight clothing, and check in on friends and relatives. Heatwaves are especially dangerous to the elderly, young children, and pets. If you see a child or pet left unattended in a vehicle during these conditions, try to locate the vehicle owner as quickly as possible. If you are not able to locate them, dial 911 and they can provide you with instructions for how to proceed. Do not directly confront vehicle owners if there is a threat to your safety.

Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. A list of the symptoms can be found on the CDC's website. Heatstroke is an emergency, and you should call 911 if you see someone experiencing symptoms. We can all do our part to prevent and address heat-related illness.”

This press release was produced by the City of Missoula. The views expressed here are the author’s own.