The temperature is also the hottest recorded so far in the country this year, and came a day after hailstorms hit some parts of the region, including this landlocked province.
Tuguegarao, the capital of Cagayan, Luzon’s northernmost mainland province, is the holder of the hottest temperature ever recorded in the country at 42 degrees Celsius in the 1950s.
Also last Tuesday, Quezon City’s temperature was reportedly monitored at 36.8 degrees Celsius, the hottest so far in the metropolis this year.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration earlier said temperature could reach up to 40 degrees Celsius this summer.
Beware of heat stroke
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) again warned the public yesterday against heat stroke this summer, saying it can be fatal if ignored.
In a press statement, the PRC said there are precautionary measures that could be observed to prevent heat stroke, “an illness due to the body’s erratic response to extreme heat.”
“It characterizes extremely high body temperature - above 120 degrees Fahrenheit- and disturbance in sweating mechanism; thus, causing the skin to dry up and redden, and the heart to beat faster which fosters rapid and shallow breathing,” the PRC said.
The PRC warned that summer heat could trigger heat stroke especially when one is at the beach or swimming pool and becomes unmindful of increasing body temperature.
“Some rarely know that this condition is in fact a serious matter, most especially when the victim is a child, an elderly or a person suffering from an injury,” the PRC said.
The PRC maintained that aside from “the normal weakness (that) the victim can experience, he or she is also prone to suffer seizures and abrupt unconsciousness that could actually lead to fatal complications when left unaided.”
To avoid heat stroke, the agency had advised the public to observe some first aid tips.
“Move the victim to a shady spot. He or she should be out of a direct heat source. If possible, try to bring him/her in an air-conditioned room to help lower his or her temperature,” the PRC said.
To cool down a victim, the PRC claimed that alcohol should not be used.
“(Instead), soak a towel in cold water, and then drape it over the victim. If an electric fan is available, you may also want to make use of it to help lower the victim’s temperature while waiting for professional medical help,” the agency added.
The PRC warned against giving the victim “anything through the mouth.”
“Give first aid for shock. If there is no suspected head, neck, back or leg injury, lay the victim flat and elevate his/her legs up to 8-12 inches from the ground,” it said.
The victim’s head should also be protected if he is having a seizure because this might result to “unnecessary bruises and fractures.”
The PRC has advised the public to avoid direct exposure to sunlight, wear proper clothing and drink up to 15 glasses of water a day to avoid dehydration. – with Sheila Crisostomo
