San Andreas, CA…Weather in Calaveras County is expected to exceed temperatures of 100 degrees Fahrenheit this coming weekend. High temperatures cause over 700 heat related deaths in the United States every year. Staying safe during the summer heat can help prevent heat related illnesses or even death.

Calaveras County Health Officer, Dr. Rene Ramirez, reminds the public, “Be sure to pay attention to warning signs of heat-related illnesses, such as heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, headache, nausea or vomiting, paleness, tiredness, or dizziness.” Common heat-related illnesses include heat stroke, heat exhaustion, cramps, sunburn, and rash, and can lead to death. Heat-related illnesses and death are preventable.

It is advised to stay in an air-conditioned place as much as possible to prevent heat-related illnesses. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to local cooling zones like the library or open businesses—even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat. The following cooling zones will be open this weekend:
 San Andreas Library – 1299 Gold Hunter Road, San Andreas, CA
 Arnold Library – 1065 Blagen Road, Arnold, CA – 10:00 am – 4:00pm

To learn more about the warning signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses, visit the CDC’s page on heat-related illness.

Tips for Preventing Heat-Related Illness

A very high body temperature can damage the brain and other vital organs. Some health conditions can make it harder for the body to stay cool in hot weather. These include old age, obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, poor circulation, sunburn and drug and alcohol use.

When temperatures are very high stay cool, stay hydrated, and stay informed. Make sure to:
 Drink Plenty of Fluids
 Stay Cool Indoors
 Wear Light Clothing and Sunscreen
 Schedule Outdoor Activities Carefully
 Pace Yourself
 Check Your Car for Pets and Children
 Use a Buddy System – check on friends, neighbors, and family

What to Do
If you or someone you know is suffering from heat-related illness, below are steps for what to do:
Heat Stroke:
 Call 9-1-1 right away – heat stroke is a medical emergency
 Move the person to a cooler place
 Help lower the person’s temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath
 Do not give the person anything to drink
Heat Exhaustion:
 Move to a cool place
 Loosen clothes
 Put cool, wet cloths on body or take a cool bath
 Sip water
 Get medical help right away if: someone throwing up; symptoms get worse; or symptoms last longer than 1 hour
Heat Cramps:
 Stop physical activity and move to a cool place
 Drink water or a sports drink
 Wait for cramps to go away before you do any more physical activity
 Get medical help right away if: cramps last longer than 1 hour; someone is on a low-sodium diet; or someone has heart problems
(Source: CDC; Spanish version):

If you have a pet or a companion animal:
Pets and companion animals feel the heat just as much as humans do and they can also suffer from heat-related illnesses. Know the symptoms of overheating for animals, including excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness or lethargy, stupor or even collapse, excessive thirst, and vomiting. Help protect the health of pets and other companion animals during an extreme heat event by taking these steps

 Never leave pets in a parked vehicle. Even cracked windows won’t protect your pet from suffering from heat stroke, or worse, during hot summer days.
 Provide your pet with fresh, cool water every day in a tip-proof bowl.
 Don’t force animals to exercise when it is hot and humid. Exercise pets early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures are cooler.
 Bring pets inside during periods of extreme heat.
 Ensure pets have plenty of shade and shelter if kept outside. Remember, the shade pets have in the morning will either change or diminish as the sun moves throughout the day and may not protect them.
 Asphalt and concrete can get very hot and cause severe burns on the pads of your pet’s feet.
 Older and overweight pets are more likely to overheat during hot weather.
 Animals with flat faces are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively. These pets, along with older and overweight pets, should be kept in an air-conditioned environment as much as possible.
 Keep your pet well-groomed, but resist the temptation to shave off all of their hair to keep them cool. A pet’s coat will protect it from getting sunburned and acts as a cooling insulation for most animals.

Visit The Humane Society for more heat-related pet safety tips.

For more information on heat related illness prevention and awareness, please visit the California Department of Public Health Emergency Preparedness site or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.