Continued Extreme Heat Prompts
Advice from Public Health Department
Extreme heat is expected to remain in
Calaveras County throughout this week. Heat related deaths and illness are preventable
but every year people die from heat. The Calaveras County Public Health Department
wants everyone to take care to prevent heat illness.
“Take the heat seriously and stay cool, hydrated and informed “advised
Dr. Dean Kelaita, County Health Officer.
Those at highest risk of heat illness are the
elderly, persons who work or exercise outdoors, infants and children, homeless
persons and people with chronic medical conditions. The Public Health Department
encourages the public to learn the signs and first aid response for heat – related
illness. Warning signs and symptoms include:
|
Heat
Exhaustion Symptoms
|
What
to Do
|
|
·
Heavy Sweating
·
Weakness
·
Skin cold, pale & clammy
·
Weak pulse
·
Fainting, vomiting
|
·
Move to cooler location
·
Lie person down, loosen clothing
·
Use cool, wet cloths on body or a
bath to lower temperature
·
Sip water if you vomit and if it continues, get medical
care
|
|
Heat Stroke Symptoms
|
What to Do
|
|
·
High body temperature [above 103 F]
·
Hot, red, dry or moist skin
·
Rapid & strong pulse
·
Possible unconsciousness
|
THIS IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY - CALL 911
·
Move person to cooler area
·
Lower person’s temperature with cool
cloths or bath
·
Do NOT give any fluids
|
“Extremely high temperatures can affect your
health and the health of your family and pets,” Dr. Kelaita warned. “Even young and
healthy people can get sick if they participate in strenuous activities,” Kelaita
added. The Public Health Department
issued the following advice on how to prevent heat
illness:
Stay
Cool
·
Stay in air-conditioned buildings
· A fan alone is not enough to cool your home during
extreme temperatures
·
Limit outdoor activity, especially during the
hottest part of the day
·
Avoid direct sunlight
·
Wear loose, lightweight light-colored
clothing
·
Take cool but not cold showers to lower your
body temperature
·
Check on at-risk friends, family and
neighbors at least twice a day
·
Never leave infants, children, pets or the elderly in a
car or truck
– even a few minutes is too long
Stay Hydrated
·
Drink more fluids than usual even if you are
not exercising
§ Don’t
wait until you are thirsty before you drink
§ If your doctor
usually limits the amount you drink or you are on water pills,
call to ask how much you need to drink
during the extreme heat.
·
Drink 2 – 4 cups of water every hour if you
are working or exercising outside
·
Avoid alcohol or liquids with sugar
·
Check to be sure your family, friends and
neighbors are drinking enough water
·
Make
sure pets have water available
Stay
Informed
·
Check local news for extreme heat warnings
and safety tips
·
Visit www.calaveraspublichealth.com
for tips to prevent heat illness
·
Keep
your family, friends and neighbors aware of weather and heat safety
For more information call the Public Health
Department at 209-754-6460.