June 18, 2015 -- June 21 is not only Father’s Day, it is also the first official day of summer.
As the days get longer, heat is one of the biggest hazards the Southeast faces during the summer months.
With daytime temperatures predicted to reach 95-plus degrees Fahrenheit for the next several days, Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany safety officials urge everyone to use caution when conducting activities outdoors.
In 2013, 92 people throughout the U.S. died as a result of extreme heat, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Stacey Williams, safety specialist, Risk Management, MCLB Albany, said “the heat affects people differently so everyone needs to listen to their body.”
He stressed outdoor enthusiasts should wear sunscreen and lightweight, light colored clothing and take frequent breaks when needed especially those working in the yard, gardening or playing sports.
“Limit your exposure to the sun, stay hydrated and cut down the time spent outside when it is hot,” Williams said. “If you have to be outdoors, find a cool place to (get out of the sun).
“If temperatures begin to rise, (move) your activities inside,” he said.
Those having to venture out into the heat can monitor current temperature, humidity, heat index and WetBulb Globe Temperature by logging on to the website, http://weather.uga.edu/aemn/cgi-bin/AEMN.pl?site=GAAB&report=c.
Williams said the WGBT is a good indicator of external heat stress on the body and helps prevent heat stroke while at work or during physical exercise.
The WGBT is a measure of the heat stress in direct sunlight, which takes into account temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle and cloud cover. This differs from the heat index, which takes into consideration temperature and humidity and is calculated for shady areas, according to http://www.srh.noaa.gov/tsa/?n=wbgt.
“If you feel like you are possibly getting heat exhausted or (experiencing) some of the signs, then take appropriate action,” Williams said.
For more information, call the Risk Management Office at 229-639-7049.