Best ways to stay safe as extreme summer heat grips Kentucky and Indiana

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The heat and humidity have been relentless this summer in Kentucky and Indiana. The area hasn't had much of a break since mid-June.

With heat indexes this week well above 100, there are advisories and warnings telling people to hydrate, stay cool, be indoors as much as possible and check up on elderly family and neighbors.

Working in the heat

If you have to work outside in the heat, it can be dangerous, but there are ways to prevent dehydration and heat exhaustion. Drinking plenty of water, taking breaks and wearing the right clothing are the keys to staying safe.

"Clothing is a big key. Clothing that allows you to breathe. Hats that protect your face and ears. Shade your face that's going to be ideal," said Kinzie Everard, with Norton Children's.

Everard advised that if you feel faint or weak, you should stop working and go to a place to cool down.

Fans can be used indoors if temperatures are less than 90 degrees. But if temperatures are 90 degrees or above, a fan can actually increase body temperature. People can find a location that has air conditioning by dialing 211 or clicking here.

People are encouraged to go to libraries, shopping malls, community centers, grocery stores and movie theaters during the warmest period of the day. If people have to stay in a home without air conditioning, they should stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine.

The CDC said symptoms of a body overheating can include muscle cramping, unusually heavy sweating, shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches, weakness and nausea. People are high risk for heat-related illness include people with asthma, heart disease, pregnant women and people older than 65 years old.

For guidance about extreme heat released by the city of Louisville, click here.

Dangers of hot cars

It's hot outside, and the temperature inside your car could be even hotter.

Pets and children shouldn't be left unattended in cars.

Nationwide, there have been about 15 kids who have died after being left in a hot car so far this year. No deaths have been reported in Kentucky.

Most of the time, it's not a result of neglect but the parent or caregiver is distracted. If you have a car in a rear-facing car seat, it's especially important to be alert because if a baby falls asleep you may not hear them.

"The temperature inside a car can climb immediately, and so even if it's not a hot day, it can still escalate pretty quickly. So we don't want to get in a habit of leaving a child in a car, not even for a minute. A minute can easily turn into five minutes, and that can be deadly," Everard said.

So it's important to make it a habit to check in the back seat, check the trunk, then lock the doors.

A couple of other good tips, leave a cell phone, purse or work bag in the back seat—something that you must have—to force yourself to check the back seat.

A place to cool off

One place that is cool? The library.

"Use the library," said Paul Burns, with the Louisville Free Public Library. "We're here. We're free, we're open to everybody."

With 17 branches open across the city, the library is one of the community's cooling centers. Burns said everyone is welcome to take a break from the heat there.

"Especially when it's hot like this," he said. "We invite everybody to come in just to get out of the heat, rest, recharge."

As temperatures linger in the 90s and the heat index climbs higher, doctors say to be on the lookout for warning signs of heat stroke.

Staying safe in this heat comes down to planning ahead, pacing yourself and knowing when to take a break.

4 ways to cut energy costs

The first electric bills are arriving, and many people are shocked. Here are some ways to keep costs down during the height of summer.

LG&E spokesman Drew Gardner offered five ways to save on your energy consumption

Close blinds and drapes

"Close your blinds and drapes during the day this is going to keep the sone from heating up your home. You especially want to do that on your windows that face direct sunlight," he said.

Make sure air is flowing

"Making sure the air is flowing. You don't want to have any of your HVAC units blocked. You don't want anything between you and your comfort," Gardner explained.

Use ceiling fans

"They're a good way to keep air circulating when you're in that particular room. We encourage customers to switch counter clockwise. That pulls warm air and cool air down," he said.

Avoid using your stove

"You don't want to use a stove at a time like this. That's going to heat up your home and make your house hot and your AC work even harder. Use a crock pot or an air fryer," Gardner said.

LG&E partners with service agencies that offer energy assistance. The utility allows payment arrangements, but you have to call before you get a notice that the electricity will be cut off.

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