HEAT ALERT: High temperatures forecast for the Los Angeles Basin, the Valleys, and Pomona

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles County Health Officer has declared a Heat Alert as high temperatures have been forecast for the Los Angeles Basin, the Antelope, Santa Clarita, San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys, and Pomona for today through Friday, August 17. This alert may be extended if weather conditions do not improve. The Department of Public Health would like to remind everyone that precautions should be taken, especially by individuals who participate in outdoor activities, older adults, caretakers of infants and children, and those sensitive to the heat.

"Everyone should remember to take special care of themselves, children, the elderly, and their pets. Extreme heat such as this is not just an inconvenience, it can be dangerous and even deadly," said Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Director of Public Health and Health Officer. "When temperatures are high, prolonged sun exposure may cause dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Never leave children, elderly people, or pets unattended in vehicles, even with the windows 'cracked' or open, as temperatures inside can quickly rise to life-threatening levels."

For a list of cooling centers and additional information on heat-related illnesses and prevention, please visit the Public Health website at http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov, or call the LA County Information line at 2-1-1 from any landline or cell phone within the county.

"Offer help to your family, friends, and neighbors with limited access to air conditioning and transportation, such as seniors or those who are ill. Check on them frequently or take them to a location with air conditioning," said Dr. Fielding.

Air quality in the Santa Clarita and San Gabriel Valleys, the San Gabriel Mountains, and Pomona will be unhealthy. People living or working in these areas with heart disease, asthma or other respiratory disease should minimize outdoor activities. Schools or youth camps that have children with sensitive conditions, including heart disease, asthma, other chronic respiratory diseases, should not participate in PE or outdoor physical activity and should stay indoors as much as possible. Additionally, schools, day camps, and non- school related sports organizations or athletes should take extra precautions during extreme heat. Practices and other outdoor activities should be scheduled for very early or very late in the day in order to limit the amount of time spent in the sun and heat.

Additional tips for those who must work or exercise outdoors:

Ensure that cool drinking water is available.

Drink water or electrolyte-replacing sports drinks often; do not wait until you are thirsty. Avoid drinking sweetened drinks, caffeine, and alcohol.

Avoid drinking extremely cold water as this is more likely to cause cramps.

Allow athletes or outdoor workers to take frequent rests.

Pay attention to signs of dehydration which include dizziness, fatigue, faintness, headaches, muscle cramps, and increased thirst. Individuals with these symptoms should be moved to a cooler, shaded place, and given water or sport drinks.

More severe signs of heat-related illness may include diminished judgment, disorientation, pale and clammy skin, a rapid and weak pulse, and/or fast and shallow breathing.

Coaches, teachers, and employers should seek immediate medical attention for those exhibiting signs of heat-related illness.

Avoid unnecessary exertion, such as vigorous exercise during peak sun hours, if you are outside or in a non-air conditioned building.

Older adults and individuals with chronic medical conditions:

During peak heat hours stay in an air-conditioned area. If you do not have access to air conditioning in your home, visit public facilities such as cooling centers, shopping malls, parks, and libraries to stay cool.

Do not rely only on open windows or a fan as a primary way to stay cool. Use the air conditioner. If you're on reduced income, find out more about the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, by calling (866) 675-6623 or contacting your utility provider.

Older adults and those on certain medications may not exhibit signs of dehydration until several hours after dehydration sets in. Stay hydrated by frequently drinking cool water; do not wait until you are thirsty. If you're on a special diet that limits liquids, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for information on the amount of water to consume.

Stay out of the sun if you do not need to be in it. When in the sun, wear a hat, preferably with a wide brim, and loose-fitting, light-colored clothing with long sleeves and pants to protect yourself from sun damage. And remember sun screen and sun glasses.

Infants and Children:

It is illegal to leave an infant or child unattended in a vehicle (California Vehicle Code Section 15620).

Infants and young children can get dehydrated very quickly. Make sure they are given plenty of cool water to drink.

Keep children indoors or shaded as much as possible.

Dress children in loose, lightweight, and light colored clothing.

Pets:

Never leave a pet unattended in a vehicle, even with the windows 'cracked' or open.

Outdoor animals should be given plenty of shade and clean drinking water.

Do not leave pets outside in the sun.

Pets should not be left in a garage as garages can get very hot due to lack of ventilation and insulation.

Heat-Related Illnesses

Heat Cramps:

Symptoms include muscular pains and spasms, usually in the stomach, arms or leg muscles.

Usually results from heavy exertion, such as exercise, during extreme heat.

Although heat cramps are the least severe of all heat- related problems, they are usually the first signal that the body is having trouble coping with hot temperatures. Heat cramps should be treated immediately with rest, fluids and getting out of the heat.

Seek medical attention if pain is severe or nausea occurs.

Heat Exhaustion:

Symptoms include heavy sweating, pale and clammy moist skin, extreme weakness or fatigue, muscle cramps, headache, dizziness or confusion, nausea or vomiting, fast and shallow breathing, or fainting.

First Aid: Heat exhaustion should be treated immediately with rest in a cool area, sipping water or a sports drink, applying cool and wet cloths and elevating the feet 12 inches.

If left untreated, victims may go into heat stroke.

Seek medical attention if the person does not respond to the above, basic treatment.

Heat Stroke:

Symptoms include flushed, hot, moist skin or a lack of sweat, high body temperature (above 103ºF), confusion or dizziness, possible unconsciousness, throbbing headache, rapid, or strong pulse.

Heat stroke is the most severe heat-related illness and occurs when a person's temperature control system, which produces sweat, stops working.

Heat stroke may lead to brain damage and death.

First Aid: Call 911. Move victim to a cool shaded area. Fan the body, and spray body with water.

The Department of Public Health is committed to protecting and improving the health of the nearly 10 million residents of Los Angeles County. Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control, and community and family health. Public Health comprises nearly 4,000 employees and has an annual budget exceeding $750 million. To learn more about Public Health and the work we do please visit http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov, visit our YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/lapublichealth, find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/lapublichealth, or follow us on Twitter: LAPublicHealth.

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