Local Officials Have Seen Few Health Issues From Recent Heat Wave
Shelley Hanson Trending
Wheeling's first responders and hospital officials say most local residents appear to be doing a good job of keeping themselves cool during the current heat wave.
To date, the Wheeling Fire Department's EMTs have had "very few" calls for service related to heat-related illnesses, said Chief Jim Blazier.
"Knock on wood," he added. "My biggest recommendation is if people have health problems to stay out of the heat. If they've got to go outdoors, do it first thing in the morning or in the evening when the sun goes down."
Blazier said staying hydrated still remains one of the most important things people can do during the heat wave. Residents should see a bit of a break today with a forecast high temperature of 81 degrees, before things heat back up a bit with a high of 88 on Tuesday.
"You can get dehydrated very quickly in heat like this. For hydration, water is the best thing to drink. You can drink a sports drink like Gatorade, but don't make it the only thing you drink," he said. "Carbonated beverages are not the best thing to stay hydrated."
At WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital, Dr. Stanley Guertal, medical director of the emergency department, said his staff has not seen an influx of heat-related patients.
"We have luckily not seen too big an uptick in heat related issues and no serious ailments, so the community is doing a decent job staying safe," Guertal said.
Blazier encouraged people to cool down at local swimming pools or cooling centers if they need to get out of a hot house.