Even though the amount of fires drops in the summer after the prevalence of grass fires in the spring, the activity rate for fire departments, emergency medical personnel and police departments doesn’t.
Instead, heat-related incidents and car accidents increase, thanks in part to rising temperatures and recreational activities.
“Our fire volume is down, but that doesn’t mean our activity level is down,” said Creston Fire Chief Todd Jackson. “We’re still staying busy doing different things like fire alarms or medical calls. We see a higher rate of medical calls because of heat-related things and accidents.”
In 2013, heat-related hospitalizations in the state of Iowa were at seven for 15-34 years old, 24 for 35-64 years old and 17 for 65 years old and up. The numbers dropped in the lower and higher age groups in 2014.
According to the Iowa Department of Public Health and Safety, when spending time in the heat, there are several things to keep an eye on.
Heat cramps are intermittent muscle cramps. Heat syncope is temporary loss of consciousness because of prolonged heat exposure and symptoms are light-headedness and fainting. Heat exhaustion is extreme depletion of blood plasma volume, and symptoms are weakness, nausea, rapid heartbeat and low blood pressure.
The most extreme heat-related illness is heat stroke, which can be the result of untreated heat exhaustion. Heat stroke occurs when the body’s core temperature rises above 104 degrees Fahrenheit, and has symptoms of damaged vital organs and low oxygen levels in the blood. Death can also occur.
Car accidents occur less often in the summer, but the seriousness of the accidents increases.
“The accidents tend to be more serious in the summertime because people tend to go faster,” said Paul Ver Meer, Creston Police chief. “Also, over the last year, there’s probably been a half a dozen alcohol-related accidents. I think that’s probably average.”
According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, there were six fatalities from car accidents, and three were alcohol-related over the Fourth of July holiday in 2013. That number increased to seven fatalities with three being alcohol-related in 2014, but the number decreased to five fatalities with three being alcohol-related in 2015.
Also, there were 65 driver’s license revocations because of operating while intoxicated charges in 2015 in Union County. That number has increased from 43 in 2010, 45 in 2012 and 49 in 2014.
Also in 2015, Adair County had 26 revocations, Adams County had 18, Ringgold County had 15 and Taylor County had three.
“Don’t have your music blaring. Don’t text. Try to keep passengers to a minimum if you can,” Ver Meer said. “If you ride a motorcycle, drive defensively.”