• Home
• Health
• Medicine
• Safety
• Nutrition

• Community
• Family
• Seniors
• Caregiving
• Events

 

Following a heat warning from the National Weather Service,

the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) urges

the public to take precautions to stay safe and healthy in the heat.

Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness, occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature: the body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. Body temperature may rise to 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided.

....“Hot temperatures and high humidity increase the likelihood of heat illnesses, such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke,” says Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H, County Public Health Officer. “The County has many air-conditioned Cool Zones available to the public.” HHSA Aging and Independence Services’ Cool Zone program offers 150 locations where anyone can beat the heat. Call toll free 1-800-510-2020 for information.

Recommendations for the heat wave:

.. 1- Residents are strongly encouraged to drink plenty of fluids, stay out of the sun, and take advantage of the County’s Cool Zones program, says Wooten.
.. 2- Wear lightweight clothing
.. 3- Pace yourself when engaging in physical activity
.. 4- Take a cool shower, bath or sponge bath
.. 5- Call your physician if you feel you may be experiencing heat-related illness.
.. 6- Visit elderly, disabled, or ill relatives, neighbors and friends who live alone as they may be particularly vulnerable. Heat exhaustion, or heat stroke, can occur in people who have difficulty regulating their body temperature, including: Children up to age 4, those 65 or older, people who are overweight, and people ill or on certain medications.
...7- Never leave a child, elderly, people with illnesses or a pet in a vehicle unattended.

SIGNS OF HEAT STROKE INCLUDE:

.....Body temperature exceeding 103 degrees, lack of sweating, rapid pulse, headache, nausea, confusion, and even unconsciousness. If someone is suffering from these symptoms, cool the victim rapidly, to 101 or 102 degrees, and call 911.

Warning signs of heat stroke include:

.. • An extremely high body temperature (above 103°F)
.. • Red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating)
.. • Rapid, strong pulse
.. • Throbbing headache
.. • Dizziness
.. • Nausea
.. • Confusion
.. • Unconsciousness

What Can be done:

.. If you see any of these signs, you may be dealing with a life-threatening emergency. Have someone call for immediate medical assistance while you begin cooling the victim.
.. • Get the victim to a shady area.
.. • Cool the victim rapidly, using whatever methods you can. For example, immerse the victim in a tub of cool water; place the person in a cool shower; spray the victim with cool water from a garden hose; sponge the person with cool water; or if the humidity is low, wrap the victim in a cool, wet sheet and fan him or her vigorously.
.. • Monitor body temperature and continue cooling efforts until the body temperature drops to 101-102°F.
.. • If emergency medical personnel are delayed, call the hospital emergency room for further instructions.
.. • Do not give the victim alcohol to drink. Get medical assistance as soon as possible.

By Making a Report You Can Save a Life!

.. If you see a child , an elderly or a pet left unattended in a vehicle, you are urged to immediately call 9-1-1.