A majority of Utah is facing severe heat conditions as the summer months hit their peak. Both Carbon and Emery County are under excessive heat warnings, with average temperatures in the area sitting in the 90s. Because of this, here are some safety tips and tricks to stay cool and safe in the heat.

• Remember to stay hydrated throughout the day, drinking ample amounts of water to combat the loss you experience through sweat. If you find yourself in the heat, experts from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend you should drink an eight-ounce cup of water for every 15 to 20 minutes you spend outdoors.

• Temperatures within vehicles can reach deadly heights within minutes, so it’s crucial to not leave small children or animals unattended in vehicles. 

• If possible avoid high-energy activities for working outdoors during the midday heat, when temperatures often reach the highest. 

• Stay up to date with weather alerts provided by the National Weather Service, whose webpage can be found here.

The American Red Cross also has some recommendations for extreme heat which include:

• Not relying on electric fans during extreme heat, instead taking a cold shower or moving to an air-conditioned space is a more effective way to stay cool.

• If you do not have air conditioning or if there is a power outage, find locations where you can stay cool. For example, a public library, shopping mall or a public cooling center. Plan how you will get there.

Many people will be looking to find cooler temperatures, traveling to lakes and other bodies of water, often bringing along watercraft or trailers. Utah State Troopers would like to remind people who are pulling cargo to make sure they have good trailer handling.

A lot of rural roads wind around and lead uphill, making it so trailers slow down. At times people take the unnecessary chance to pass these trailers in low visibility areas, leading to accidents.

One of the most important things we can do during periods of excessive heat is to make sure the most vulnerable people in our communities are supported and checked in on. We can represent the spirit of the Castle Valley Area by helping others and checking on those who might be at risk like the sick, elderly, pregnant or children. One way to do this is to learn how to recognize signs of heat-related illness:

• Concussion, slurred speech and altered mental status
• Hot, dry skin and profuse sweating
• Very high body temperatures
• Loss of consciousness