JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – With feels-like temperatures hitting the triple digits in parts of Northeast Florida again Friday, things can quickly become deadly.
Heat exhaustion or heatstroke can develop in a matter of minutes. And those aren’t the only things to look out for. Six children have already died in hot cars this year.
The National Weather Service wants to remind everyone to “Look before you lock.”
The temperature in your car can quickly reach dangerous levels.
When the outside temperature is 80 degrees, the inside of a car can hit 99 in 10 minutes and go up to 123 in an hour.
It’s even faster when temperatures are in the 90s like they will be on Friday.
The NWS has some important safety tips people can follow to stay cool.
- Slow down. Strenuous activities should be reduced, eliminated, or rescheduled to the coolest time of the day. Individuals at risk should stay in the coolest available place, not necessarily indoors.
- Dress for summer. Lightweight, light-colored clothing reflects heat and sunlight, and helps your body maintain normal temperatures.
- Watch what you eat. Foods like proteins can increase metabolic heat production and increase water loss.
- Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcoholic beverages.
- Don’t get too much sun. Sunburn makes the job of heat dissipation that much more difficult.
The agency also encourages everyone to look out for each other. Check on your friends, family and neighbors to make sure everyone is OK.