Heat-related dangers emphasized in wake of death

ALBANY — Earlier this week, 41-year-old Jerusha Weekly of Albany died from heatstroke. Police reports indicate that she had been walking in the heat for about an hour before collapsing at her home.

According to Dougherty County Coroner Michael Fowler, Weekly’s body temperature was 109 degrees at the time of her death. Ironically, Fowler had spoken Monday at the Kiwanis Club of Dougherty County’s weekly meeting and stressed the importance of staying hydrated during excessively hot weather.

“It is imperative that you stay hydrated,” Fowler said. “The recommended intake of water is 64 ounces daily. Dehydration occurs when you use more or lose more fluid than you take in, and your body does not have enough water and other fluids to carry out its normal functions. This leads to heatstroke.”

Today’s high is expected to top out at 96 degrees, but the heat index (how hot it feels with relative humidity factored in with the air temperature) will be pushing 102, according to the National Weather Service. The NWS says heat indices of 91-103 degrees call for extreme caution, while indices above that are dangerous.

With a high of 97 forecast for Saturday, the heat index is forecast to be in the danger area at 105. Temperature highs are expected to stay in the mid-90s next week, according to the NWS forecast on Friday.

Children are particularly susceptible to heatstroke, especially if left in an automobile. With National Child Vehicular Heatstroke Prevention and Awareness Day being acknowledged Sunday, officials like Fowler and the nonprofit organization KidsAndCars.org are urging everyone, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, to help prevent the tragedy of babies and toddlers dying in hot cars.

“Since 1990, more than 775 children have died in these preventable tragedies. Where is the outrage?” stated Janette Fennell, president and founder of KidsAndCars.org. “Automakers have already added numerous reminders to make sure we buckle up, don’t leave the keys in the ignition, don’t leave the headlights on and many more. We think a driver chime to save a child’s life should be just as important as preventing a dead battery.”

KidsAndCars.org reports that 23 children have already died in 2016 from heatstroke.

According to Fowler, signs of dehydration include dry, sticky mouth; drowsiness; thirst; decreased urine output; dry skin; headache; constipation; dizziness or lightheadedness; and in infants, no wet diapers for three or more hours and few or no tears when crying.