Dangers of hot surfaces as temps rise in Arizona
PHOENIX (AZFamily)—Temperatures are rising in the Valley of the Sun, but with that comes some dangers.
This past week, Phoenix saw its first 100-degree day of the year. However, as the weather heats up, so do things we use every day, and medical experts at the Arizona Burn Center are warning residents to be careful of hot surfaces.
The Arizona Burn Center treated 152 severe burns last year, up from 136 cases in 2023. According to the Arizona Burn Center, temperatures in the 90s are hot enough to heat concrete, asphalt, and water.
They advise everyone to be careful of asphalt or sidewalks, especially if your kids are playing outside.
Arizona Burn Center director Dr. Kevin Foster says to be careful of items like brass or metal doorknobs, water from the hose and leather seats and the metal from seat belts in your car.
“It also gets hotter because of the direct sunlight, so even though the temperature outside might be 100 degrees, a black asphalt in direct sunlight when it’s 100 degrees might be 130 or 140 degrees,” said Dr. Foster.
He adds that many of the cases at the burn center are older Arizonans who get disoriented and end up falling on hot concrete or asphalt, which leads to an increase in burns and heat strokes.
“The problem is that they go down and they lay on the contact or on the hot surface for a fairly long period of time, so not only are they cooking and getting third-degree burns, but their internal temperature is also going up, and they’re suffering heat stroke as a result of that,” said Dr. Foster.
Dr. Foster says it’s important to know where your elderly family members are at all times and advises Arizonans of all ages to know their limit, as he says contact burns are completely avoidable.
It’s also important to drink plenty of water, wear sunscreen and be smart in the heat.
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