Summer is here and so is the hot weather! “Extremely high or unusually hot temperatures can cause sickness or even death, if precautions are not taken,” advises San Joaquin County Public Health Officer, Dr. Alvaro Garza. Most vulnerable are the elderly, those who work or exercise outdoors, infants and children, the homeless or poor, and people with a chronic medical condition such as heart or respiratory ailments. Other high risk conditions include obesity, fever, dehydration, poor circulation, sunburn, and prescription drug and alcohol usage.
Dr. Garza urges everyone to be prepared for sunny, hot weather by taking these necessary precautions to prevent serious health effects such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke:
Stay Cool
Stay in air-conditioned buildings. If you do not have air conditioning, go to a friend’s or family member’s house with air conditioning; visit a public place such as a library, shopping mall, or community center. Visit the website and social media of San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services at http://www.sjgov.org/oes/, to find out if there is an air-conditioned shelter that may be open in your area.
• Limit outdoor activity, especially during the hottest part of the day, and avoid direct sunlight.
• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Wear sunscreen and shade yourself by using an umbrella or wearing a wide-brimmed, breathable hat.
• Take cool showers or baths or use moist cloths to lower your body temperature.
• Place a desk fan directly in front of you and use a spray bottle of water to cool yourself.
• Cover windows that receive heat from morning or afternoon sun with curtains, shades, awnings, or louvers. (Outdoor awnings or louvers can reduce the heat that enters a home by up to 80 percent).
• Keep electric lights off or turned down.
• Minimize use of your oven and stove.
• Never leave children or pets inside a parked vehicle or in direct sunlight, even for a few minutes.
Stay Hydrated
• Drink lots of liquids, especially water, even before feeling thirsty. Avoid alcohol or beverages (including energy drinks) containing high amounts of sugar or caffeine, which can cause dehydration.
• Drink from two to four cups of water every hour while working or exercising outside.
• Make sure your family, friends and neighbors are drinking enough water, too.
Stay Informed
• Listen to local news and weather forecasts and stay aware of upcoming temperature changes, extreme heat warnings and safety tips so you can plan activities safely when it’s hot outside. Keep your friends, family and
neighbors aware of weather and heat safety information, too. Sign up to receive free weather alerts on your phone or e-mails from www.weather.com/mobile.
• Visit the San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services website, www.sjgov.org/oes, and social media for up-to-date local information such as the conditions and cooling centers.
• Discuss heat safety precautions with members of your household. Have an emergency and communications plan for wherever you spend time—home, work and school (refer to BePreparedCalifornia website at www.bepreparedcalifornia.ca.gov/Pages/Home.aspx).
• Plan ways to look after those who are more vulnerable (e.g. the elderly, young, those living alone or have medical conditions) in your family and neighborhood. Make sure that they are well, cool and hydrated as they are more likely to become victims of excessive heat and may need help.
• Know the signs/symptoms and first aid response for heat-related illnesses
