Knoxville firefighters warn about heat-related illnesses

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) - Temperatures in East Tennessee will be averaging five to 10 degrees above average for this time of year and while it's this hot, firefighters are warning that now is the time to take precautions to avoid heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Playing in the sun means mom, Ashley Gray, is keeping an eye on her 4-year-old son, Christopher, so that he doesn't get sick.

"We do take some breaks here and there and go inside,"

she said.

Every summer first responders are called out to help those who have heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

"What happens sometimes when you're not hydrated enough, you stop sweating. Your blood actually thickens and it makes your heart work a lot harder,"

said Capt. DJ Corcoran with the Knoxville Fire Department.

Symptoms usually include a headache, dizziness, hot and red skin, a fast pulse, as well as confusion.

"You want to get them out of the sun, get them out of the heat as quickly as possible,"

said Corcoran.

If someone is experiencing heat stroke, firefighters say you can use ice packs to cool their core temperature.

"You would place it under a brachial artery or around the carotid artery or the femoral artery. Any place where your blood is close to the skin,"

added Corcoran.

He says preventing these kinds of heat-related illnesses is easy.

"Make sure you drink plenty of fluids and when I say hydrating, it's not beer, not Coke, not tea. You want to drink water."

Firefighters add it's important to pace yourself, wear sunscreen, and rest when it's this hot outside.

While little Christopher loves being outside, his mom is doing what she can so he stays healthy out there.

"It makes me happy to see him happy and it's just a joy seeing him play,"

said Gray.

If you'd like to learn more about the symptoms and what to do in case someone is dealing with a heat-related illness, you can visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website by clicking here.

This is also a good time of year to be taking precautions so our pets do not get sick. It's a good idea to keep a close eye on your cats and dogs, making sure you provide plenty of fresh water, keeping it in a shaded area, and it's also recommended they have a shady spot to rest.