The National Weather Service extends the excessive heat warning for the Kansas City metro area including Spring Hill through Friday, August 23 at 9 p.m. Heat index values will reach 110 to 115 degrees.
We urge residents to limit outdoor activities, especially during the afternoon when temperatures peak. Wear light, loose-fitting clothing and seek shade often. Hydrate frequently.
If you don’t take proper precautions during extreme heat, you can begin to experience symptoms of heat-related illness. Common heat-related illnesses include:
Heat stroke: The most serious heat-related illness, in which the body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails and the body is unable to cool down.
Heat exhaustion: A milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to extreme heat and lack of hydration.
Heat cramps: Muscle pains or spasms – usually in the abdomen, arms, or legs – that may occur in association with strenuous activity.
Heat rash: A irritation caused by excessive sweating during hot, humid weather, which can look like a red cluster of pimples or small blisters.
Heat exhaustion can turn into heat stroke if left untreated, and both forms of heat-related illness can cause death or permanent disability without proper medical care. Warning signs of heat stroke include:
- An extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees)
- Red, hot and dry skin (no sweating)
- Rapid, strong pulse
- Throbbing headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Unconsciousness
To provide a visual of how hot these temperatures are, the Spring Hill Police Department placed a thermometer inside of a car, along with cookie dough. The internal temperature of the car reached 175 degrees, and the cookies, albeit undercooked, did begin to bake. The outside temperature reached 99 degrees with a heat index around 110. SHPD hopes these visuals are a reminder of how dangerous heat can be, especially in a car. Cars act like greenhouses, trapping in heat. The temperature inside of a car can be fatal, and it takes just minutes for it to become too hot. Children, the elderly, pets and other vulnerable populations should not be left alone in a car, whether it is running or not.
SHPD hopes the experiment serves as a reminder that leaving children in a hot car can be fatal.
Circumstance of child hot car deaths (1990-2021):
Unknowingly left in vehicle - 56%Gained access to vehicle on own - 26%
Knowingly left in vehicle - 15%
Circumstances unknown - 3%
1. When you get to your destination, don't leave children in the backseat. Get in the habit of leaving your phone, keys or wallet next to your child in the backseat.
2. Keep your cars locked at all times, even at home. Children can wander into cars and get trapped inside. They don't understand the dangers of this heat.
3. Do not leave kids in the car unattended under any circumstances - even if the car is running. If the car shuts off or the air conditioning stops working, temps can rise to a dangerous level very quickly.