Havasu Heat -
Deadly heat in your own back yard

September 18, 2007 

             This morning there was a definite dip in Havasu’s temperature, allowing us to open all the windows, and let in the fresh air.  I enjoyed my morning coffee on the back patio, and noticed the thermometer didn’t even reach 70 degrees.
Although the weather felt pretty terrific, and I understand many Havasuians are ready for the end of summer, I’m not.  In the evening, after work, I look forward to a swim in our pool.  Since it isn’t heated, my pool time for 2007 is coming to an end. :-(
             As much as I enjoy the summer heat, I am very aware of the dangers the high temperatures in Lake Havasu can present.  And it isn’t just the dangers to the hikers, who set out on the trails unprepared for the heat.  Nor just the dangers to travelers, stranded in the scorching sun. 
             Havasu’s extreme heat can pose a life threatening danger to some, in their own back yard, with the comfort of their air conditioned home just a few steps away.  And recently, my father-in-law, was in jeopardy, yet fortunately escaped with minor injuries.
             My father-in-law is in his 80’s, and a week or so ago, when the temperatures were still pretty high, he went out in his back yard and fell.  He has an artificial leg, and found it impossible to get up without help.  He landed on the hellishly hot gravel, and yelled for his wife.  Unfortunately, my mother-in-law was inside, and didn’t hear him. 
             He remained outside for sometime, growing hotter and hotter, forced to literally crawl along the hot gravel, towards his house.  Finally his wife looked outside, and rushed to get a neighbor to help her bring him inside.
             I’ve heard of this happening before to elderly people, or to those who might be prone to falling, and are unable to get up again, unaided. My mother lives with us, and I have asked her not to walk down the driveway to get the mail during the summer months. If she is home alone, and takes a fall outside during extreme heat, it could be deadly if she is unable to get up. 
            But if she insists on going outside when we aren’t home (and you know those moms, they just don’t listen!), I have asked her to take her cell phone with her.
            Had my father-in-law let his wife know he was going outside, or had he taken his cell phone with him, or if he had a “life alert”, then he might have spared himself such a hellish and frightening experience.
            I like the heat in Havasu, but I would hate to be laying in our back yard in the middle of an August afternoon, unable to move, or get to shade, or have a drink of water.

Bobbi Holmes