Know when to hydrate, but not to over-hydrate. Our tips ahead of the sweltering heat

 

SOUTH BEND, Ind.-- Scorching heat is on the way, likely to hit the high 90s but feel like it’s over 100 this week.  

“We have not seen the weekly forecast list a whole lot of 90s this summer,” said Kara Stevenson from corporate communications for Indiana Michigan Power.  

Indiana Michigan Power has tips to stay cool, but also save a buck on your utility bill.  

“Cooling costs do account for about 50% of one’s monthly bill,” Stevenson said.  

Keep the indoor air moving and utilize ceiling fans blowing counterclockwise to push cool air down. Make sure air conditioning vents are open and exposed. Keep west and south-facing curtains and shades closed throughout the day.

And during peak energy use hours, typically 4 to 6 in the evening, when most people are active, avoid excessive chores or cooking.  

Stevenson said residents can stay comfortable following these tips and can still keep their thermostat at 78 to conserve power.

That said, heat this high can be dangerous, even deadly, so the St. Joseph County Health Department is issuing an extreme heat advisory for this week.

“If we do not have to be outside, I would strongly encourage you to be indoors,” said Robin Vida, director of health outreach, promotion, education for the health department. “When our body is unable to control or regulate our temperature, that’s when you can see some of those ill effects occur, so, nauseousness, vomiting, headache, dizziness. In small children, we tend to see heat rash.”

She says to never underestimate the power of heat.

“Heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses really can sneak up on us, especially if there’s at all a breeze,” she said.    

In these kinds of temperatures, staying hydrated is everything.  

“Hydrating the day before for the heat to come is a good practice.”  

But beware—it is possible to drink too much water.  

“I guess I can’t say that and then not say we also have to be careful we’re not overdoing it with water, because you can also overdo it with water,” Vida said.

That’s what happened to 35-year-old Ashley Summers, who died over Fourth of July weekend near Monticello from water toxicity. according to WRTV.

“Someone said that she drank 4 bottles of water in those 20 minutes,” her brother, Devon Miller, said. “Average water bottle is like 16 oz, so that was 64 oz that she drank in the span of 20 minutes. That’s half a gallon. That’s what you’re supposed to drink in a whole day.”

She was feeling dehydrated, the family said, and couldn’t seem to satisfy her thirst.  

“Water toxicity occurs when somebody drinks too much water really quickly. There are certain things that can make somebody more at risk for it. But the overall thing that happens is that you have too much water and not enough sodium in your body,” said Dr. Blake Froberg, a toxicologist with IU health.

So, it is important to steadily drink water in sips, not chugs, as the heat wave approaches.