Stay cool, stay safe Alaska

This is the sort of legendary string of sunny days that will linger in the memories of Alaskans for years. Remember all that sun we had in 2013? And how it started right after our last snow — on May 31? Remember the jumbo-sized crop of mosquitoes, no-see-ums and other winged, biting annoyances that swarmed to life as the ground warmed?

But the temperatures that turn our bones to gelatin and inspire moose to lap from lawn sprinklers and wade in kiddy pools don’t even raise eyebrows in the Lower 48. We imagine how calling temperatures in the 80s and 90s “hot” would inspire laughter from folks who live in really hot places like Dallas, Kansas City or Washington, D.C.

Still, this is the hottest stretch of weather we remember in years. It’s an uncommon pleasure to be too hot in Alaska. It’s also a nice change from last year’s floods.

However, neither our bodies — nor our children’s or pets — are unaccustomed to this sort of heat.

We did a very unscientific test during Sunday’s 80-degree weather by putting a thermometer in a car and leaving it. With all the windows rolled up, temperatures inside the car climbed to 119 degrees — too hot for humans or pets.

A warning from the Mat-Su Borough cautions pet owners that those who leave their pets unattended in hot vehicles can be charged with failure to provide humane animal care or cruelty to animals and fined up to $500. Worse still, your pet could die from the heat. If you see an animal in distress, call 761-7501 or 911.

It isn’t just pets that can die from the heat. On average, 38 children die each year in hot cars, according to national statistics.

Heat poses an escalating series of risks; first heat cramps, then heat exhaustion and finally heatstroke. Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures or by doing physical activity in hot weather, according to the Mayo Clinic.

For many of us, it’s been years since we lived, worked and played in weather this warm. So here are a few hot weather safety tips:

• Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing that reflects the sun’s rays and allows for airflow.

• Drink plenty of liquids. Your body needs fluids to sweat, which in turn help maintain normal body temperature. Institute of Medicine in 2004 issued new daily water intake recommendations, 91 ounces for women and 125 ounces for men. But you’ll need more water than that to stay hydrated on hot days.

• Take it easy during the hottest parts of the day.

• Acclimatize your body to the weather. People who are not used to hot weather are especially susceptible to heat-related illness, including heatstroke. But acclamation can take weeks.

If you get too hot, here are some tips to lower your body temperature and prevent heat exhaustion or heatstroke:

• Move into a shady or air-conditioned place.

• Cool off with damp sheets and a fan.

• Take a cool shower or bath.

• Rehydrate, but remember you’ll need water and salt. Remember, drinking alcoholic beverages when rehydrating can interfere with the body’s ability to regulate temperature.

Cooling off in Alaska’s lakes and streams also is an option, but be careful. Cold-water drowning deaths are another very real Alaska summer reality.

Stay cool Alaska, and stay safe.