TGO FIREWISE INFORMATION

Residents Reducing Wildfire Risks

Visit tgocsa.org to view Firewise video and brochure or TGO Firewise on Facebook

Remember, you must have written permission to remove any living shrubs or trees beyond your property line. Contact CSA if you have questions about removal and consult the Architectural Review Board before making landscape changes.

HOT!

by Ed Brown

I’m sure you’ve noticed! But, it is Summertime, after all. Or is it more than the seasonal changes that we have been experiencing? The world-wide “heat wave” may be an example of (forgive me) “climate change."

There have been many changes in the Earth’s climate over millions of years. They left proof called the “Fossil Record.” Practically speaking, we need to know how to survive the changes. Let's talk about HOT and how to live with it.

Hot is Phoenix in the midst of a streak of 110+F days that could qualify as their longest heat wave on record. Death Valley: 130+F, close to the hottest reading ever recorded on Earth! TGO, you live here! It is not like the other extreme examples, but even our heat can make you ill or can kill. Here are some tips for surviving Central Florida Heat without having to call EMS:

1. Hydration. Have water available and drink regularly even if you aren’t thirsty. Do your outside work in the morningit is cooler. Work in the shade if possible. Wear light weight, light color clothes, take cool-down breaks often and hydrate.

2. Your body typically cools itself through sweating and evaporation as well as the constriction and dilation of different veins to move blood around and transport heat from the core to other parts and then be released. You can increase evaporative cooling by having a fan blow on you, add a basin of water in between you and the fan. Add some ice cubes to the basin and you have recreated a 1920 AC unit.

3. Back up your central AC with a window unit for your rest area and take breaks.

4. Sweating a lot and losing fluids due to the heat can severely alter a person’s electrolytes and cause cardiac arrhythmias and even a heart attack. The best preventative measure is HYDRATION WITH WATER or beverages with electrolytes. Sorry, beer or other alcoholic beverages don’t qualify! They can increase the heat injury.

5. Metabolic systems start to shut down in response to overly high body temperature which can in turn impact kidney function; COOL DOWN!

6. Keep a thermos of cold water in the refrigerator. Refill it every day and take it with you when you leave the house. Sip it throughout the day, refill as needed and

STAY HYDRATED! Your body will thank you!

Firewise

-

Butch Jones Chairman 804-514-4458

Christopher Miller Co-Chairman 407-375-8310

Tim Graham 561-262-8833

Donald Payne 407-222-0583

Ed Brown 321-383-8253

Mike Lavery 585-472-1538

Ron Peoples 407-509-0486

Betty Salter 321-223-8073

Ed Olefirowicz 919-360-3174

Karri Olefirowicz 919-265-4315

RV Service and Parts

Rv