Excessive Heat Warning For Camden County Through Sunday

An Excessive Heat Warning is in effect for Camden County through Sunday, July 21, officials announced on Tuesday. An Excessive Heat Watch issued Tuesday morning is no longer in effect.

The Excessive Heat Warning will be in effect from 8 a.m. on Wednesday, July 17, through 10 p.m. on Sunday, July 21.

The forecast calls for hot and humid weather throughout the week, with peak heat index values in the mid-90s and temperatures reaching as high as 110 degrees by Saturday afternoon. There is also the chance for isolated thunderstorms throughout the week.

Camden County will also distribute free fans to senior citizens ages 60 and older with an income less than $25,000. To request a fan or for more information, call the Camden County Division of Senior and Disabled Services at 856-858-3220.

“Many senior citizens are living in homes without air conditioning or other means of cooling,” Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the Camden County Division of Senior Services said. “Extreme heat like we’ll experience this week can be especially dangerous for those who don’t take the proper precautions to cool their home. Make sure that you are releasing as much hot air as possible by opening windows and using fans to circulate the air.

“This is going to be another long stretch of very hot, very humid weather. We are expecting heat indexes in the mid- to upper-90s, with temperatures only increasing as we progress through the week. When temperatures rise to dangerous levels, remember to stay inside as much as possible, drink plenty of water, and contact a physician if you or a loved one is showing signs of heat stress. It is also critical that everyone remember to check on elderly relatives, friends, and neighbors when there is extreme heat to combat.”

To avoid heat-related illness, the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services recommends the following:

• Avoid, as much as possible, working or playing in the hot sun or other hot areas. If you must be out in the sun, wear a head covering. A wide-brimmed hat or visor will not only protect your head from intense rays of the sun, it will also provide a shield for your eyes.

• Use air-conditioners and fans. Open windows to release trapped hot air.
• Those taking regular medication should consult with their physician. Some medications cause an adverse reaction in hot weather.
• Wear lightweight clothing.
• Drink plenty of non-alcoholic liquids, warm and cool. Because the body loses fluids in the heat, drinking lots of liquids helps to avoid dehydration.
• Maintain a normal diet.
• Shower or bathe in water that is near skin temperature.
• Do not leave older people, children or pets alone in cars.
• Make sure your pets also have plenty of fresh drinking water.
• The early warning signs of heat stress are decreased energy, slight loss of appetite, faintness, light-headedness and nausea. People experiencing these symptoms should go to a cool environment, drink liquids, remove excess clothing and rest.

Serious signs of heat stress include unconsciousness, rapid heartbeat, throbbing headache, dry skin, chest pain, mental confusion, irritability, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle cramps, staggering and difficulty breathing.

Anyone who experiences these symptoms should get immediate medical attention. While waiting for help, the person should be moved to a cool area, be fanned and be sprayed with water. They should also remove excess clothing. In an emergency, dial 911.