KOSCIUSKO — The National Weather Service of Northern Indiana has issued a heat advisory for Kosciusko and surrounding counties.

The heat advisory is in effect from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 2.

Hot temperatures in the lower 90’s combined with humid conditions will cause heat indices to rise to near 100 degrees this afternoon into this evening.

Heat illnesses are possible for those active outdoors, in homes without air conditioning or those susceptible to heat illnesses, such as children and the elderly. Pets outside in the sun may become heat stressed. 

Never leave children or pets in vehicles unattended. It only takes 10 minutes for your car to heat up to dangerous temperatures. In 10 minutes, the internal temperature of your car can increase by 20 degrees, even on a cloudy or overcast day. Children also overheat up to five times faster than adults.

Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that since 1998 there have been more than 700 deaths resulting from adults leaving a young child in a hot caR.

If you are going someplace that doesn’t allow dogs, leave your furry companion at home. Your vehicle can quickly reach a temperature that puts your pet at risk of serious illness or death, even on a day that doesn’t seem that hot to you — and cracking the windows makes no difference.

A Heat Advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun and check up on relatives, neighbors, pets and other animals.