Bristol 4th of July: Beating the Heat

July 3, 2019 9:14 am

BRISTOL, R.I. (WLNE) — Temperatures well into the 90s led to dozens of cases of heat exhaustion at last year’s Bristol 4th of July celebration. About 50 marchers and spectators were treated on-site. Ten people were sent to the hospital.

“Extreme heat and heat exhaustion are significant health issues,” said Joseph Wendelken of the Rhode Island Department of Health.

This year parade organizers are getting the word out on what they’re doing to help folks beat the heat. There will be three water stations set up along the parade route, as well as golf carts loaded with water to keep marchers hydrated. There will also be a triage tent at the end of the parade. All band members must get checked out when they finish, and it’s open to anyone having heat-related health issues.

“It’s really important that organizers take those kind of steps and be thoughtful,” said Wendelken.

So what warning signs should you keep an eye on? For heat exhaustion, heavy sweating, fatigue, nausea or fainting are common. For heat stroke, high body temperature, dry skin, confusion or even unconsciousness can occur.

But as always, prevention is the best medicine.

“People should plan ahead, should drink water regularly. They should bring water with them. They should also keep an eye on the time and be aware of how much time they’re spending in the direct sunlight,” said Wendelken.

If you’re headed to the Bristol celebration or just planning on spending any length of time out in the heat, health officials stress the importance of finding shade-actually getting out of the sun every once in a while.

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