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By Chief Sam DiGiovanna
What a Cool song that was https://youtu.be/64w0UqTHGFg But were looking at something different and not so cool!
With the west hitting triple digit temperatures and breaking records, and only the beginning of June, we’re in store for a long hot summer. It’s important to get heat safety information out to your community.
Here are some tips to avoid heat-related health problems.
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- If available, stay in an air-conditioned area during the hottest hours of the day.
- Keep windows, blinds and shades closed.
- Wear light, loose-fitting clothing.
- Drink plenty of water (avoid alcohol and sugary drinks) and don’t wait until you are thirsty.
- Take cool showers.
- Never leave a child, elderly person, or pet unattended in a car.
- Keep pets cool in hot weather.
- Avoid unnecessary hard work or activities outside during the hottest part of the day.
- Avoid unnecessary sun exposure and wear a wide-brim hat if you need to be in the sun.
- Avoid using the oven to cook.
- Be prepared for power outages whether due to an overload on the grid or by utility companies.
- Contact your local city hall or fire department to find out where designated cooling stations are such as community centers, senior citizens or where they are designated in your community.
An extremely high body temperature (103 or higher), dizziness, nausea, confusion, and headache are signs of heatstroke or exhaustion. If someone shows these signs, call 911 and begin cooling the individual Here’s how:
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- Moving them to a shaded area.
- Spraying with cool water and fanning them.
- Placing them in a cool shower if they are alert.
- Monitoring the body temperature and continue cooling efforts.
- Do not give the victim fluids to drink.
People aged 65 and older, infants and children, and people with chronic medical conditions are more prone to heat stress. People with elderly neighbors should check in on their well-being. Share this information with your community. They’ll think you’re the coolest!
Stay cool and be safe!
Sam DiGiovanna is a 40-year fire service veteran. He started with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, served as Fire Chief at the Monrovia Fire Department, and currently serves as Chief at the Verdugo Fire Academy in Glendale and Associate Director for the Calif Training Officers Assoc. He also is a consultant for Lexipol www.Lexipol.com