Cook reports heat exhaustion from extreme heat

CHARLOTTE, NC — About 1,220 people die from extreme heat in the United States each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

With temperatures in North Carolina set to rise above 95 degrees later this week, the most important thing is to keep a cool head.

Kristin Harris, the owner of Chef FruGal, said she suffered heat stroke in 2019 while she was the lead food vendor at an event at Camp North End.

“I was convinced that the event would be an opportunity to catapult my business forward,” said Harris.

Because of the hot weather, the event did not go as planned.

“It was 98 degrees and the heat index said it was 115 degrees,” Harris said.

The event took place outdoors, where they had a barbecue under a tent.

Harris said the heat quickly took its toll on her.

“My head was pounding and I was sweating profusely,” Harris said.

She said she ignored the signs of heat exhaustion until she couldn’t anymore.

“The combination of the heat outside, the heat from the grill and my dehydration was definitely a recipe for disaster and I passed out,” Harris said.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include nausea and thirst, which can lead to heat stroke. Heat stroke can be fatal and can cause confusion and unconsciousness.

“I ignored it. I had a mission I wanted to accomplish and I didn’t even think about it,” Harris said.

Harris said she did not go to the hospital but needed help to recover and finish the event.

“They picked me up, took me to one of the interior areas and laid me down there. It took me about an hour to get up and do something else,” Harris said.

Harris said after the event that she was more sensitive to heat and that headaches and dizziness occurred more quickly than before.

However, she is now more alert and proactive in hot weather, drinking water and seeking shade whenever possible.

The CDC recommends wearing light, loose-fitting clothing, staying cool indoors, applying sunscreen, carefully planning outdoor activities, and staying hydrated.

This summer, NOAA’s National Weather Service and the CDC are releasing a heat monitoring tool called HeatRisk, which provides information and guidance on a color-coded scale for people at risk of heat.

This takes into account above-average temperatures, the time of year and duration of heat in your location, and whether these temperatures can lead to heat complications.