Quick Tips on Beating the Heat

Placer County public health officials are urging residents to take common-sense precautions so they and their families stay safe during this week’s ongoing heat wave.

The Placer County Public Health Division and Office of Emergency Services are monitoring the weather closely and are prepared to open cooling centers if necessary. At this time, Placer County is not included in excessive heat warnings and heat advisories issued by the National Weather Service for much of Northern California today.

Placer County and the California Department of Public Health are encouraging the public to:

• Stay hydrated by regularly drinking water or other nonalcoholic beverages; 
• Use home air conditioners or spend time in air-conditioned locations such as malls and libraries;
• Use portable electric fans to exhaust hot air from rooms and draw in cooler air;
• Take cool baths or showers or use cool compresses to prevent overheating;
• Minimize direct exposure to the sun;
• Eat light, cool, easy-to-digest foods such as fruit and salads;
• Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothes, as well as wide-brimmed hats to protect the face and neck;
• Wear sunglasses that provide 100 percent UVA and UVB protection;
• Apply sunscreen liberally before going outdoors;
• Check on older, sick, or frail people who may need help responding to the heat; and
• Know the symptoms of excessive heat exposure and the appropriate responses.

Public health officials are advising the public to avoid:

• Leaving children or pets alone in cars for any amount of time;
• Drinking alcohol to try to stay cool;
• Eating heavy, hot, or hard-to-digest foods;
• Exercising outdoors during the hottest parts of the day;
• Wearing heavy, dark clothing; and 
• Directing the flow of portable electric fans toward themselves when room temperatures are above 90 degrees.

Residents should seek medical attention if they experience rapid, strong pulses; feel delirious; or have body temperatures above 102 degrees.

Excessive heat poses a substantial health risk to residents, particularly high-risk groups such as young children, older residents, pregnant women, people with chronic diseases, individuals who have disabilities and people who are socially isolated.

Heat-related illnesses include cramps, exhaustion and heat stroke. Warning signs can include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, paleness and dizziness.