New Mexico Department of Health issues alert for heat-stress into weekend
SANTA FE (KSMX)- The New Mexico Department of Health encourages everyone statewide to be mindful of heat-related illness and know the signs to watch for during this period of extreme heat. It is forecast that most of the state with exceptions of high mountain regions (over 7,000 feet above sea level) will experience temperatures approaching or even above 100 degrees Fahrenheit lasting through the upcoming weekend.
Outdoor recreation and activities should be avoided between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. during these high-temperature days. The Department of Health reminds New Mexicans to never leave children or pets in a parked car even for a few minutes.
Heat stress can have many symptoms like dizziness, nausea, cramping, and weakness and can progress to heat stroke and death if left unchecked. To help New Mexicans and visitors spot the signs of heat-related illnesses, NMDOH offers tips at: Heat Stress – Environmental Public Health Tracking.
“While for many, warnings about leaving children and pets in hot cars may seem like common sense, these accidents happen, with a record number of children (53) dying in hot cars in the U.S. in 2018,” said Department of Health Cabinet Secretary Kathy Kunkel. “We’re all vulnerable to extreme heat at one point or another, so please do your best to seek out cool indoor places and stay well-hydrated even in these difficult times with COVID-19.”
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