Extreme heat warrants extreme caution, health experts say


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SALT LAKE CITY — With extreme heat forecasted across the state of Utah over the next week, and record-breaking highs in several areas including 105 in Salt Lake City, emergency workers and heat experts are emphasizing the need for people to use extreme caution.

Car safety

Car safety was one thing the Utah Highway Patrol was pushing Friday. It comes after a shocking close call for one Eagle Mountain resident.

According to the Utah County Sheriff's Office, an Eagle Mountain mother resident recently found her 7-month-old infant nearly unresponsive after sitting in the car during the heat of the day. But the shocking part was that the mother was just outside the car door, which was open, when she suddenly realized the baby was too quite.

"Within seconds, minutes, that vehicle can heat up — we're talking oven temperatures," said Cpl. Todd Johnson, spokesman for the Utah Highway Patrol.

Today that child is doing well, but emergency officials are urging Utahns to be vigilant and take the proper safety steps this weekend in every activity.

Hot pavement

The heat can also prove dangerous for your feet, as Andrea Eggleton and her son Parker found out after a day at Seven Peaks waterpark. They left with blisters on the bottoms of their feet.

"It's kind of a safety issue, as well, when these kids are holding these big giant tubes and looking down, concerned that their feet are burning," Eggleton said.

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Teresa Gray, the Salt Lake Valley Health Department's bureau manager for water quality and hazardous waste, provides oversight of the county's waterworks. She's well aware of the concrete heat dangers at parks and pools alike.

"It comes down to a safety issue," Gray said. "If we get reports of burns and such, then yes, we do have police powers to enforce that."

So far, Gray says nothing has reached that point yet.

At Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, doctors say they see dehydrated and sunburned people more frequently, but the hot outdoor surfaces can't be ignored.

"(There are) a lot of the asphalt surfaces that temperatures can rise to a very dangerous degree, where it can cause first- and second-degree burns on your feet," said Dr. Mark Oraskovich, an emergency room physician.

Doctors say a lot boils down to common sense: find shade wherever possible, wear sandals and keep a close eye on children.

Fire danger

Along with the potential danger to your health, the extreme heat also increases the risk of wildfire. Because of that, many cities are banning the use of fireworks in some areas.

Fire officials are advising people to check firework restrictions with their individual city governments before they begin Fourth of July celebrations.

Contributing: Alex Cabrero

Email: hsmith@ksl.com

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