As A Heat Wave Approaches, Here's How To Stay Safe

SEATTLE, WA — The hottest weather of the year is nearly upon us, with temperatures in the 90s expected throughout Western Washington by Sunday. While the unusually-warm stretch is welcome news for some, and a great excuse to get outside, it's important to keep a few things in mind to avoid a mishap.

An excessive heat watch will be in effect from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Sunday's High Temperature Forecast

• Seattle: 93°
• Bellevue: 95°
• Renton: 96°
• Kirkland: 91°
• Sammamish: 96°
• Issaquah: 98°
• Tacoma: 86°
• Bonney Lake: 95°
• Lakewood: 95°
• Puyallup: 96°
• Olympia: 94°

Red Flag Warning issued through the weekend

A Red Flag Warning will be in effect from Saturday morning through Sunday night, with critical fire conditions expected across the region.

High temperatures and dry fuels can lead to extreme fire behavior, allowing a small blaze to quickly transform into a serious threat.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

Stay cool, stay hydrated

Dr. Stephen Morris, an emergency room doctor at UW Medicine, says hot days like the ones ahead often lead to hospital visits for heatstroke and dehydration. In the Seattle region, where extreme heat is rare, Morris says residents can be unfamiliar with some of the risks.

"When one starts to feel ill in the heat or the activity in the hear, at home, the most important thing to do would be to get out of the heat and to stop the activity," Morris said. "The next most important thing is to make sure you're well-hydrated, drinking lots of water and cool water will help you feel better. "

In the event of a medical emergency, knowing the signs and acting quickly is key.

"When heatstroke and dehydration get very severe, patients or people get confused and will not seem themselves, and that's really an emergency at that point," Morris said.

Don't forget: we're still in the midst of a pandemic

Public Health Seattle & King County has shared a lengthy set of reminders to stay safe and get outside responsibly in the hot days ahead.

Hot weather tips include:

• If you are in a public place and need to wear a face covering, take a “mask break” if you get too hot and uncomfortable.
• Go outside and make sure you are at least six feet from others, remove your face covering to cool down, then put your mask back on if returning to an area where one is required;
• Drink lots of water, even if you are not thirsty, and avoid caffeinated, high-sugar and alcoholic drinks; and
• Wear loose, light fitting clothing and a hat with a brim.

Practice good judgment in and around water

More heat means more people out enjoying the water, but failing to do so responsibly can have dire consequences.

"We often see activities that are either dangerous in and of themselves or dangerous because they're combined with alcohol," Morris said. "So, we see many boating injuries in our area and region in the summertime when it gets warm. We see drownings where people go into the water and they're either intoxicated, not able to swim or they misjudge the nature of the water. There's a lot of injuries that can be avoidable with common sense and with people making sure that their celebration of the good weather is done in a safe and responsible manner."

Take precautions to prevent tragedies at home

In Washington, a large percentage of homes do not have air conditioning, and many of us rely on windows to help manage the heat. But, if there are young kids in the house, it's important to take some precautions to prevent serious injury.

Every year, Seattle's Harborview Medical Center treats dozens of children for injuries sustained from falling out of open windows. So far this year, the hospital has treated 30 children, including a 7-year-old who died.

Dr. Beth Ebel, a pediatrician at Harborview, said such falls almost always from windows with screens, which often provide a false sense of security.

"I wish that windows had a screen that would withstand the leaning weight of a child but they don't," Ebel said. "In fact, the screen suckers you into thinking that it's safe, and the child too, because most parents wouldn't be happy having their kid play in a room with a gaping hole in the wall, or on a cliff ledge two or three stories up."

The best way to prevent such falls, Ebel says, is by limiting how far the window can open. Parents can find cheap devices that stop the window from opening more than a few inches.