“They (were) literally staying inside the oven.”
Texans have been dealing with an extreme heat wave this summer, with many areas under an excessive heat warning from the National Weather Service in June, July and August.
Houston was one such area in June, with temperatures expected to reach 113 degrees on June 16, according to KPRC 2 News. This was the first time Houston received an extreme heat warning since 2016.
In a similar warning, the National Weather Service said: “Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the likelihood of heat-related illness.”
For a Houston couple, it was even more serious. After the air conditioning unit malfunctioned, Ramona and Monwai Eason and their pet dog died in their mobile home in the extreme heat, news station KTRK reported.
What happened?
The couple’s daughter, Roxanna Flood (as her social media accounts show her name), told Insider that the air conditioner broke down on June 12, and was scheduled to be repaired on June 16. And Ramona and Monoway thought they could manage with the fans just until it could be fixed. Pinned. However, when the repair technician arrived, the country’s coroner had already declared them dead.
Now, Flood is calling on air conditioning companies to do more to explain to customers the dangers of staying inside during extreme heat.
“I would like something to be created with these big (air conditioning) companies to warn people about how dangerous this heat is,” Flood told KTRK. “If they don’t have the money to fix their air conditioner, let them know that they are literally staying inside an oven.”
Why did this happen?
Global temperatures are rising, and one reason for this is the harmful gases released by the planet’s reliance on dirty fuels for transportation, manufacturing, and domestic energy. These gases trap the Earth’s heat, causing thermometer readings to rise.
The lack of air conditioning increases people’s risk of heat-related illness. Unfortunately, for the Ison family, these diseases proved fatal.
How can we prevent heat-related illnesses?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people who don’t have air conditioning in their home go to public places with air conditioning, such as malls or libraries, to cool off during particularly hot hours of the day.
“Even spending a few hours in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you return to the heat,” the CDC said.
It’s also important to stay hydrated, and replacing salt and minerals lost in the heat with sports drinks can be really helpful.
Otherwise, wear loose clothing and limit your outdoor activities, especially strenuous activities.
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