Shoppers need to prepare for hot temperatures at the Brimfield Flea Market Wednesday.
A heat advisory has been issued for many parts of the state, including Brimfield until 8 p.m. Wednesday. Temperatures are expected to reach 91 degrees in Brimfield but will feel like 95 to 100 degrees.
“Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors,” the National Weather Service wrote, adding that the the heat could cause heat illnesses.
There is a slight chance of rain Wednesday. However, it’s most likely going to rain late Wednesday night into early Thursday — meaning rain boots will be needed for muddy fields Thursday.
But for those just shopping Wednesday, heat will be the most important factor.
Heat is a “silent killer,” University of Washington public health scientist Kristie Ebi, who helped write a United Nations special report on extreme weather, told PBS.
In 2023, more than 2,300 people died in the U.S. due to excessive heat, according to their death certificates, PBS reported. It was the highest number in 45 years, the Associated Press reported.
During extreme heat, it’s important to know the symptoms of both heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
According to Mayo Clinic, heat exhaustion is a “condition whose symptoms may include heavy sweating and a rapid pulse, a result of your body overheating. It’s one of three heat-related syndromes, with heat cramps being the mildest and heatstroke being the most severe.”
The organization states that people should see a doctor if symptoms “don’t improve within one hour.”
“If you are with someone showing signs of heat exhaustion, seek immediate medical attention if he or she becomes confused or agitated, loses consciousness or is unable to drink,” the website states. “You will need immediate cooling and urgent medical attention if your core body temperature (measured by a rectal thermometer) reaches 104°F (40°C) or higher.”
Symptoms of heat exhaustion:
- Cool, moist skin with goose bumps when in the heat
- Heavy sweating
- Faintness
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Weak, rapid pulse
- Low blood pressure upon standing
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea
- Headache
Heat stroke, however, is the “most serious heat-related illness,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“It occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature: the body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down,” the website states. “When heat stroke occurs, the body temperature can rise to 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause permanent disability or death if the person does not receive emergency treatment.”
Symptoms of heat stroke:
- Confusion, altered mental status, slurred speech
- Loss of consciousness
- Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating
- Seizures
- Very high body temperature
