Local emergency services treat 11 people for heat-related illnesses

Hot summer day and forty degrees Celsius on a thermometer. The thermometer in summer shows a high temperature degree with the sun in the background. (Getty Images)

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Local emergency services are seeing a slight increase in heat-related illnesses this week.

Scott Evans of Ascension Via Christi told KSN News that emergency departments at St. Francis, St. Joseph and St. Teresa treated 11 patients for a variety of heat-related illnesses, ranging from sunburn to heat exhaustion. The highest number of cases was reported Tuesday.

Temperatures climbed again Friday, hitting 102 in Wichita by 5 p.m. Lisa Teahchman, KSN Storm Track 3 chief meteorologist, said that while we’ll see temperatures in the low 90s and mid 80s this weekend, they’ll climb back up next week.

Meanwhile, the Red Cross this week provided tips for protecting yourself from the heat, including slowing down, avoiding strenuous activity and limiting time spent outdoors. It’s also important to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

The American Academy of Dermatology offers these tips to help relieve sunburn.