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Dangerous Heat Conditions Threaten Massachusetts Residents

The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Watch for most of Massachusetts for Saturday. The forecast weather puts residents at risk for both heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Children play in a water fountain.
Alex Milan Tracy/Sipa USA
(TNS) — Temperatures soaring to near 100 degrees, combined with high humidity Friday, Saturday and Sunday may cause dangerous heat conditions.

The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Watch for most of Massachusetts for Saturday from 11 a.m. through 9 p.m. and urges residents to drink water and stay out of the heat.

The weather service may also issue additional heat-related watches, warnings or advisories for Friday and/or Sunday.

The forecast says heat index values — the effect of heat and humidity on the body — may reach the mid to upper 90s Friday, 100 to 110 degrees Saturday and 97 to 105 degrees Sunday.

The highest values will occur on Saturday in eastern Massachusetts and parts of the Connecticut River Valley.

The hot temperatures and high heat indices can lead to serious heat related-illnesses, warned the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency on Thursday afternoon.

Children, the elederly and pets are at highest health risk for heat, MEMA warned.

The agency has allowed EMTS to transport residents who need to escape the heat to cooling centers.

The forecast weather puts residents at risk for both heat exhaustion and heat stroke, the far more serious of the two conditions that may cause death.

Heat exhaustion typically occurs when people overexert themselves in a warm, humid place and often affects those doing strenuous work in hot weather. People lose body fluids through heavy sweating and when blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to vital organs to decrease.

Symptoms may include: Cool, moist, pale or flushed skin, nausea, dizziness, headache, weakness and/or exhaustion.

In case of heat exhaustion, remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. If the person is conscious, give them half a glass of cool water or fluids with electrolytes every 15 minutes.

Heat stroke is the most serious heat emergency and may cause brain damage or death if the body is not cooled quickly.

Symptoms include extremely high body temperature, hot and red skin (dry or moist), loss of consciousness, changes in the level of responsiveness rapid and weak pulse, rapid and shallow breathing, vomiting, confusion and/or seizures.

A person suffering from heat stroke needs immediate assistance. Call 911 and move the person to a cooler place. Immerse the individual in a cool bath, wrap in cold wet sheets or cover the person in bags of ice.

"MEMA urges residents to take precautions during the upcoming extreme heat. Never leave children or pets alone in a closed vehicle, find an air-conditioned public space, cooling center, or other cool spot for relief, and watch for heat-related illnesses," said MEMA Director Samantha Phillips. "Please check on your family, friends, or neighbors to make sure they are safe during the extreme heat."

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