Temperatures soaring into the upper 90s have local medical officials reminding people to take precautions against the heat when doing any outdoor activity.

Health officials at The Regional Medical Center and Bamberg County Hospital and Nursing Center report some minor heat-related cases such as heat exhaustion, but no heat-related emergencies through Tuesday.

"We have seen no heat strokes or anything that severe," said Dr. Robert Sweatnam, medical director of the TRMC emergency department.

At 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, the temperature at the Orangeburg Department of Public Utilities weather recording station was 98 degrees. The forecast high for Orangeburg was 99 degrees.

According to the National Weather Service Columbia office, temperatures in Orangeburg are expected to reach 100 degrees Wednesday. Accounting for humidity, it could feel like it is between 100 and 105 degrees.

Sweatnam said when the temperature rises to the middle- to upper-90s range, heat exhaustion becomes commonplace, particularly for people who spend many hours outdoors working and high school and college football player

Sweatnam said to reduce the chances of becoming a victim of the heat, people should use a "common sense" approach, such as drinking plenty of cool water, staying away from direct sunlight and wearing sunscreen to prevent skin damage.

The very young and the elderly are typically most at risk from the heat.

"The concern we have is with young children being left in cars," Sweatnam said, explaining that some people will go shopping and leave their children in the vehicle. He said temperatures in a vehicle can reach 150 degrees.

Also, "The elderly are less resistant to heat and if they are on medications, that can increase heat-related incidents," he said.

Sweatnam said some of the symptoms of heat illness include a feeling of light-headedness, warmth, a dry mouth and headache.

Dr. Charles Eskridge, medical director of the Bamberg County Hospital and Nursing Center emergency room, says the hospital has yet to see any heat-related cases, but he echoed Sweatnam's advice.

"If you are forced to do any outside activity, generally you have to take frequent breaks ... about 20 minutes on the hour even if you are not thirsty," Eskridge said. "Cool water is the best."

Eskridge said early symptoms of heat exhaustion include cramping.

"Stop what you are doing and start drinking fluids," he said.

The high temperatures have put air conditioners into overdrive, driving up power usage.

The peak power usage on the utility's system through early Tuesday afternoon was 180 megawatts. The usage was still below the utility's record-breaking usage of 196 megawatts, set around July 29, 2005. The 180 megawatts is considered typical for July energy output.

The average temperature for Orangeburg for July 18 is 92 degrees. On average, the third week of July is considered the hottest time of year for the area. The record high for July 19 was 104 degrees, set in 2002.

The National Weather Service says temperatures for Orangeburg and surrounding areas are expected to fall slightly into the middle 90s later in the week. The chance of rain is expected to increase as well.

High temperatures often bring concerns about ozone concentration. The NWS Air Quality Index reports ozone levels as good to moderate, meaning that ozone levels remain within low levels and should not pose a health risk.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control is calling for an Ozone Action Day for Barnwell County today. The alert is due to the expected increase in ground-level ozone.

"When ozone levels are elevated, active children and adults as well as people with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion," said Myra Reece, chief of DHEC's Bureau of Air Quality. "Ground-level ozone is formed when hot, dry, stagnant weather conditions exist. When that happens, emissions from vehicles contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone."

Reece says carpooling, staying in at lunch, pumping gas after 6 p.m. and avoiding excessive vehicle idling can help reduce ozone levels.

David Schuetrum, meteorologist at the National Weather Service Columbia office, says a ridge of high pressure over the Southeast and light winds are keeping temperatures slightly above normal.

"It looks like we will have this warm spell up until Monday," Schuetrum said. "We are going to have a weak frontal system probably late Saturday. There will also be a slight chance of showers."

Schuetrum says above-normal temperatures and normal rainfall are expected for the rest of the summer.

T&D Staff Writer Gene Zaleski can be reached by e-mail at gzaleski@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5551. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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