Excessive Heat Wave Warning in Riverside County- Tips from Ready.gov

6/14/2021 (Permalink)

Riverside Residents should take precautions during a heat wave!

An excessive heat warning will be in effect in the Riverside metropolitan area and the Riverside County mountains starting at 10 a.m. Tuesday and lasting through 9 p.m. Saturday. 

Temperatures in the Riverside area are expected to peak at 110 on Tuesday, then reach 109 on Wednesday, advised forecasters.

Ready.gov has outlined some tip to help keep safe from dehydration, heatstroke and keeping our families and pets safe. 

Extreme heat is a period of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees for at least two to three days. In extreme heat your body works extra hard to maintain a normal temperature, which can lead to death. In fact, extreme heat is responsible for the highest number of annual deaths among all weather-related hazards.

Remember:

• Extreme heat can occur quickly and without warning.
• Older adults, children and sick or overweight individuals are at greater risk from extreme heat.
• Humidity increases the feeling of heat as measured by a heat index.

IF YOU ARE UNDER AN EXTREME HEAT WARNING:

• Find air conditioning.
• Avoid strenuous activities.
• Wear light clothing.
• Check on family members and neighbors.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Watch for heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
• Never leave people or pets in a closed car.

HOW TO STAY SAFE WHEN EXTREME HEAT THREATENS

Prepare NOW

Find places in your community where you can go to get cool.

Try to keep your home cool:

• Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device.  
• Cover windows with drapes or shades.
• Weather-strip doors and windows.
• Use window reflectors such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard to reflect heat back outside.
• Add insulation to keep the heat out.
• Use a powered attic ventilator, or attic fan, to regulate the heat level of a building’s attic by clearing hot air.
• Install window air conditioners and insulate around them.
• Learn to recognize the signs of heat illness. For more information visit: www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/warning.html

Be Safe DURING

Never leave a child, adult, or animal alone inside a vehicle on a warm day.  Find places with air conditioning. Libraries, shopping malls, and community centers can be a cool place to beat the heat. Stay informed and check with local authorities about possible closures prior to going to cooling centers.

• If air conditioning is not available in your home:
• Contact Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for help.
• Contact your local health department or locate an air-conditioned shelter in your area.
• Spend some time at a shopping mall or public library- even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help. 
• Your community may set up emergency alternatives for cooling centers, such as using parked air-conditioned buses or movie theaters, as normal cooling centers may not have enough space for physical distancing. Pay attention to guidance from local officials to determine where the nearest cooling center is.
• Take cool showers or baths.
• Don’t rely solely on fans to keep you cool. While electric fans might provide some comfort, when temperatures are really hot, they won’t prevent heat-related illness.
• Use your stove and oven less to maintain a cooler temperature in your home.
• If you’re outside, find shade. Wear a hat wide enough to protect your face.
• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. If you or someone you care for is on a special diet, ask a doctor what would be best.
• Do not use electric fans when the temperature outside is more than 95 degrees. You could increase the risk of heat-related illness. Fans create air flow and a false sense of comfort, but do not reduce body temperature.
• Avoid high-energy activities outdoors. Avoid working outdoors during the midday heat, if possible.
• Check yourself, family members, and neighbors for signs of heat-related illness
• Engage virtually with your community through video and phone calls. Know that it’s normal to feel anxious or stressed. Take care of your body and talk to someone if you are feeling upset.

Recognize and Respond

Know the signs of heat-related illnesses and ways to respond. At-risk populations for heat-related illness include older individuals and those with underlying health conditions. Know how to protect individuals especially at risk from extreme heat events.

If you are sick and need medical attention, contact your healthcare provider for advice and shelter in place, if you can. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.

HEAT CRAMPS

• Signs: Muscle pains or spasms in the stomach, arms or legs
• Actions: Go to a cooler location. Remove excess clothing. Take sips of cool sports drinks with salt and sugar. If you are sick and need medical attention, call your healthcare provider first. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions about whether you should go to the hospital or cooler location yourself, as you may be putting others or yourself in greater risk for contracting COVID-19. If cramps last more than an hour, seek medical attention.

HEAT EXHAUSTION

• Signs: Heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, fainting, nausea, vomiting
• Actions: Go to an air-conditioned place and lie down. Loosen or remove clothing. Take a cool bath. Take sips of cool sports drinks with salt and sugar. Call your healthcare provider if symptoms get worse or last more than an hour.

HEAT STROKE

• Signs: 
• Extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees) taken orally 
• Red, hot and dry skin with no sweat
• Rapid, strong pulse
• Dizziness, confusion or unconsciousness
• Actions: Call 9-1-1 or get the person to a hospital immediately. Cool down with whatever methods are available until medical help arrives.

Riverside County has identified cooling centers during this heatwave, click the link to find one near you.

https://www.capriverside.org/cool-centers

In the 92503 area code here are three centers you can go to during the heat of day:

• La Sierra Senior Center
• Arlanza Community Center Bryant Park
• Janet Goeske Center