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Tips for protection in the dangerous heat

By News-Sentinel Staff
Thursday, July 2, 2009 6:10 AM PDT

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Residents should protect themselves from the effects of this week's heat wave, according to San Joaquin County Public Health Services. Excessive heat brings the threat of heat-related illnesses, from mild heat cramps to potentially life-threatening heat stroke.

However, the worst of the week's heat wave has subsided, with high temperatures expected to be 96 degrees today and Friday, 95 for the Fourth of July and 89 on Sunday, according to AccuWeather.com, a private forecasting service. The lows will range from 63 degrees tonight to 57 on Sunday night.

Health Services provides the following tips to deal with the Valley heat:

  • Limit the amount of time spent outdoors, especially between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For those who work outside, take rest breaks in the shade.
  • Drink water or non-alcoholic beverages and increase fluid intake, regardless of activity level. Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink.
  • Stop all activity if exertion in the heat makes your heart pound and leaves you gasping for breath.
  • The safest place during extreme heat is indoors with air conditioning. If you do not have air conditioning, go to a friend or family's house with air conditioning, or visit a public place such as a library, shopping mall or community center.
  • You can also lower body temperature by taking a cool shower, bath or sponge bath.
  • Never leave infants, children, frail elderly people or pets alone in a parked car. It can take as little as 10 minutes for the temperature to rise to levels that can kill.
  • Check on neighbors, particularly the elderly, and anyone who lives alone.
  • Seek medical help if you see or develop signs of heat-related illness, including dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, weakness, confusion or problems breathing.
  • Those at greater risk include the elderly, infants and young children, people with mental illness, people with chronic diseases such as heart or respiratory ailments and those with obesity, fever, dehydration, poor circulation, sunburn and prescription drug and alcohol use.

    For more information, visit www.sjcphs.org, www.bepreparedcalifornia.ca.gov/epo or www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heat_guide.asp.

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