Senator Dan Brown’s Legislative Column

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For the next couple of weeks, we are expected to have daily high temperatures of 90 degrees or more. And while we may not have average temperatures like people in Phoenix (at 106+ degrees), it will be warm enough that we will need to be cautious about the heat and outdoor time.

The National Weather Service is a federal agency charged with providing us with information about the weather, including weather warnings, and how to maximize our safety. According to the agency, 94 people died because of extreme heat in the United States in 2016. The most dangerous place to be was inside the home with little or no air conditioning.  All of Missouri’s heat-related deaths last year took place inside a home. Even inside it is important to take action to stay cool, such as covering windows with drapes to limit sunlight heat or installing window reflectors to reflect heat.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is federal agency that specializes in public health. The CDC recommends that summer outdoor activity be balanced with activities that reduce risk of health-related illness, such as staying cool indoors and hydrated. Click here for more information about the types of heat-related illness, including heat cramps and heat exhaustion, and proper response.

Also, the Department of Homeland Security’s “Ready” reminds us to

  • Avoid strenuous work during the day’s warmest part;
  • Wear sunblock and limit exposure to the sun as much as possible;
  • Check to make sure air conditioners function properly; and
  • Check on neighbors, family members and friends

We also need to make sure our furry friends are well hydrated and cool during the summer days. Missouri’s Humane Society has great safety tips for protecting our pets from extreme heat. For example, one should never leave a pet unattended in a car, whether or not a window is cracked, during hot days (this is also illegal) and take frequent breaks during walking and jogging.

I hope we continue to enjoy the summer while staying cool and hydrated. Being aware of weather reports and warnings, heat-related or not, will help us prepare for extreme weather and temperature conditions.

As always, I encourage my constituents to contact me throughout the year with comments, questions or suggestions by calling my office at (573) 751-5713. To find more information about the bills I sponsored, visit www.senate.mo.gov/brown. Thank you for reading this and for your participation in state government.