As Summer Heats Up, Stay Safe

After an unseasonably cool spring, it's starting to act like summer this week with temperatures through July 4 expected to reach in to the upper 80s or 90s, according to the National Weather Service. 

When it gets hot, people, especially seniors and people with health conditions, need to take care.  So do kids doing summer sports.

The Contra Costa County Health Services issued this reminder about staying safe when it gets warm this summer: 

Heat-related deaths and illness are preventable yet annually many people succumb to extreme heat. People suffer heat-related illness when their bodies can't compensate and properly cool themselves.

Very high body temperatures may damage the brain or other vital organs and lead to death. Even young and healthy individuals can succumb to heat if they participate in strenuous physical activities during hot weather.

Air-conditioning is the number one protective factor against heat-related illness and death. If a home is not air-conditioned, people can reduce their risk for heat-related illness by spending time in public facilities that are air-conditioned, such as a mall or movie theater.

Summertime activity, whether on the playing field or the construction site, must be balanced with measures that aid the body's cooling mechanisms and prevent heat-related illness.

For information on locations where seniors and people with disabilities can go to cool off call 1-800-510-2020 if your in Contra Costa or call 925-229-8434 if you're outside of Contra Costa.

For information about how to protect yourself during the current heat wave call the Contra Costa Health Services' Health Emergency Information Line at 1-888-959-9911.

To get information on how to protect yourself from the hot weather call the California Office of Emergency Services toll free line at 1-877-435-7021.

You can also visit these sites for more information: 

Heat Preparedness (The Governor's Office of Emergency Services)
Heat Stress in the Elderly (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Are You Ready Guide - Extreme Heat (FEMA)
Flex Your Power (Efficiency Partnership)