Triple-digit temperatures over the weekend led to 21 calls for emergency medical assistance in Barrow County — most of them at the annual Fourth of July Festival in Auburn. “We had 21 heat-related calls, with the majority of them being in Auburn, due to the festival,” said Lt. Scott Dakin, spokesman for Barrow County Emergency Services. “The City of Auburn did a great job of taking steps to help prevent issues, such as having a misting tent and water available for everyone as well as delaying the festival on Sunday. However, there were, unfortunately, incidents.” Temperatures in Barrow County hit 105 degrees on Friday, 104 on Saturday, and 106 on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. A high of 109 degrees on Friday in Athens broke a record established more than a century ago in 1893.
For the full story, see the July 4 issue of the Barrow Journal.
1. Do not to stare directly at the Sun.
2. For the men, Do not walk around with your shirt off. Your shirt provides shade.
3. Prehydrate with water, not Sweet Tea. Tea makes you pee. Sugary drinks make you pee. So Sweet Tea, makes you dehydrated.
4. WalMart has air conditioning, and can substituted as a cool shelter to wander around during the hottest parts of the day.
5. Consume pork rinds in moderation.
6. If you wear sunglasses that are Ultra Violet Ray proof, you will definitely sun burn. Blocking the UV rays, tricks your body into thinking it is in the shade. When your eyes take in UV rays, the body releases melatonin, a natural sunscreen in your skin. So toss the shades.
7. Lastly, do not sunbath. You will look like a worn Baseball catcher's mitt in 30 years.