An excessive heat warning has been issued amid dangerous temperatures
EDWARDSVILLE – The first full week of the new school year brings dangerously high temperatures and sweltering weather to the Edwardsville area.
And that’s not all: the risk is greater for children than for adults. Every year, about 30 children die from heatstroke as a result of being left or locked in a hot car.
Authorities urge adults not to leave a child or pet in a warm or hot car for any reason.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) explains why children are more at risk:
• A child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than that of an adult. When a child is left in the car, that child’s temperature can quickly rise — and the situation can quickly become dangerous.
• Heatstroke begins when the body’s core temperature reaches about 104 degrees.
• A child can die when his body temperature reaches 107 degrees.
The NHTSA reports that 950 children have died from heat stroke in a hot car over the past 25 years.
According to NoHeatstroke.org, 53 children died each year in 2018 and 2019, a record number for hot-car deaths.
A 3-year-old boy died when he was left in the car
These types of tragedies don’t just happen in southern states or other areas of the country where the weather is hotter than it is in Illinois.
In fact, earlier this month, a 3-year-old boy died after being left in a car for eight hours while his father was at work in Collinsville.
Police described the incident as a “tragic accident.”
The high temperature in the community on the day the child died was 84 degrees.
In just 10 minutes, a car can overheat by 20 degrees and become fatal, NHTSA noted. For example, if the outside temperature is 75 degrees, it is 105 degrees inside the car.
3 warnings in effect
The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning until 10 p.m. Thursday; Hazardous weather warning through Saturday; And at least Monday an air quality alert.
An extreme heat warning predicts dangerously hot conditions this week with heat index values of 105 to 115 degrees. The warning issued by the National Weather Service is in effect until 10 p.m. on Thursday, but the agency indicated that the heat may continue until Friday in some areas.
Edwardsville area residents can expect a high of 95 degrees on Monday, with a low of 74 degrees, and a high of 99 degrees on Tuesday with an expected low of 77 degrees.
Temperatures on Wednesday are expected to reach 101 degrees. Thursday, 103; and Friday 102. Lows are expected to be in the upper 70s.
Authorities have warned that heat-related illnesses rise sharply during extreme temperatures and high humidity.
Air quality alert
The St. Louis Clean Air Partnership issued an air quality advisory Sunday for St. Louis and the Metro East, in effect from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday. An air quality warning means that peak ozone concentrations are likely to reach levels that pose a health risk.
The authority stated that as air quality deteriorates, harmful health effects increase. The National Meteorological Service indicated that ground-level ozone is an air pollutant, and can cause breathing difficulties for children, the elderly, and people who already suffer from respiratory problems.
Safety tips
There are many ways to stay cool in the summer, including some that are more creative than others.
But when it comes to the basics, in conditions of poor air quality, excessive heat and dangerous humidity, residents are advised to:
• Limit outdoor physical activity
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Accommodation in an air-conditioned room
• Stay out of the sun
• Check on relatives and neighbors
• Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside
• Reschedule strenuous activities for early morning or evening
• Wear loose, light-colored clothing
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine or sweet drinks
in addition to: To avoid contributing to poor air quality, nuclear-weapon states propose the following:
• Work from home if possible, drive or use public transportation
• Avoid excessive deceleration
• Do not top up when refueling
• Reduce or postpone the use of gasoline-powered lawn equipment until later in the day
The city offers cooling centers
• Edwardsville Public Library: 112 S. Kansas Street — 618-692-7556
Availability: Monday to Thursday: 9am to 8pm; Friday: 9 am to 6 pm; Saturday: 9 AM to 5 PM; Sunday: 1-5 pm
• Edwardsville Main Street Community Center: 1003 N. Main Street — 618-656-0300
Availability: Monday to Friday: 9am to 3pm
• Meyer YMCA Center: 7348 Goshen Road — 618-655-1460
Monday – Friday: 5 AM to 9 PM, Saturday: 7 AM to 6 PM, Sunday: 10 AM to 5 PM
• YMCA Niebur Center: 1200 Esic Drive — 618-656-0436
Monday to Friday: 5 AM to 9 PM, Saturday: 7 AM to 6 PM, Sunday: 10 AM to 3 PM
