ALLENTOWN - Knowing the signs of heat stress and taking preventive measures are key as sweltering temperatures move into the PPL Electric Utilities service territory as expected Wednesday and Thursday. 
“As an electric utility, many of our employees work outside so we need to be vigilant about the effects of the heat,” said Barry Downes, manager of Health and Safety for PPL Electric Utilities. “By the same token, we want our customers, their families and friends also to be careful and be able to recognize heat illness warning signs early enough to take proactive steps before serious complications occur.”

Heat stroke, heat exhaustion and heat cramps can affect anyone, but can be especially dangerous for older adults, children, people with chronic medical conditions and people who take certain medications. According to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, heat also increases the risk of injuries because of factors including sweaty palms and dizziness.

And don’t forget that heat illness can happen both indoors and out.

Heat-related health problems surface when the body loses water and salt through sweating and in serious cases, like heat stroke, loses its ability to regulate its core temperature. Signs of heat stroke include confusion, loss of consciousness and seizures. High body temperatures can lead to brain or organ damage.

Heat stroke can be deadly. If you suspect someone is suffering from heat stroke, call 911 immediately.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the primary way to prevent heat illness is with air conditioning, and the CDC urges the public to seek out those cooler places — shopping malls, libraries or public cooling centers — if you don’t have home air conditioning.

The CDC also advises people to stay informed about weather conditions and drink plenty of cool, non-alcoholic beverages as part of stepped-up fluid intake.

Heat waves also bring high electric use, and PPL Electric Utilities reminds its customers that there are many no-cost and low-cost ways to save on their bills.

Some tips include:

• Make sure drapes and shades are pulled closed during the day to block the hot sun.
• In the summer, many people can be comfortable wearing light clothing and a thermostat temperature setting between 72 and 78 degrees. You will save energy for every degree higher you can set your thermostat.
• Minimize the use of heat-generating appliances like the dishwasher, stove, washer and dryer during the warmest hours of the day.
• Ceiling fans are wonderful to have for air movement, and they are economical to operate, often at just pennies a day. It costs much less to move air than to cool it. But use ceiling fans only in the rooms that will be occupied. Using a ceiling fan often lets you raise the temperature setting on your thermostat by one to three degrees.
• Customers without air conditioning are encouraged to use multiple fans with windows open to circulate air and be safe.