Beat the Heat

During heat spells, making simple changes in your daily activities and staying cool can help you remain safe and healthy. 

Here are a few ways to Beat the Heat:

• Drink cool, non-alcoholic beverages often. Don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink.
• Stay indoors and, if possible, spend time in air-conditioned locations such as shopping malls, public libraries, or public health sponsored cooling shelters. For a list of cooling centers, 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.
• Avoid unnecessary exertion.
• If you experience dizziness, fatigue, faintness, headaches, muscle cramps and increased thirst you need to relax in a cooler, shaded place and drink water or a sports drink.
• More severe symptoms (such as disorientation, pale and clammy skin, a rapid and weak pulse, and/or fast and shallow breathing) may indicate heat exhaustion or impending heat stroke.  Seek immediate medical attention. 

If you must be outdoors:

• Try to limit your activity to  morning and evening hours when the temperature is cooler.
• Cut down on exercise.
• Try and rest often in shady areas.
• Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and using sunscreen.
• Wear light-weight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothes.

Although any one can suffer from heat-related illnesses, the following groups are at greater risk:

• people aged 65 or older
• infants and young children
• people with chronic medical conditions.

NEVER leave a senior, child or pet in a closed car or any vehicle since temperatures can quickly rise to life-threatening levels.

If you know seniors who live alone or people whose immune and/or respiratory systems are not working properly, check on them regularly to make sure they are staying cool.