With a hot weekend forecast and summer swinging into full gear, the Department of Health and Human Services wants to remind people to be prepared the handle the heat. The organization is releasing its seasonal reminders of ways to deal with the heat.
Here are their suggestions and precautions:
Long Beach would like to remind our residents to be safe and practice heat
precautions to protect themselves from heat-related illness and injury,
especially while participating in outdoor activities. The elderly, people with chronic illnesses, infants and young children are at greater risk for heat-related conditions. All those who spend time outdoors should take precautions to reduce the risk of heat related illness and injury.
Precautions include:
Remain hydrated by drinking water before, during, and after outdoor
activities;
Take frequent breaks while working or playing outdoors;
Wear loose-fitting, light clothing; wear a wide-brimmed hat to cover
the face, ears and neck if you'll be outside;
Apply sunscreen (at least SPF 15) 15 minutes before going outdoors
and re-apply at least every two hours - sunscreen prevents skin
cancer.
Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid beverages that have caffeine or
alcohol;
Plan strenuous outdoor activities for cooler parts of the day; limit
time outside during peak heat;
Pace physical activities, starting slowly and picking up the pace
gradually;
Wear sunglasses that provide 100 percent UVA and UVB protection.
Chronic exposure to the sun can cause cataracts.
Seek air-conditioned environments during peak heat at stores, malls,
theaters, etc.;
Check on frail elderly or home-bound individuals to make sure they
are not affected by the heat;
Move to a cooler location at first sign of heat illness (dizziness,
nausea, headaches, muscle cramps); rest and slowly drink a cool
liquid;
Never leave a child or pet in a parked car or asleep in the direct
sunlight;
Make sure pets have plenty of shade and water to drink.
Prevent children from drowning by providing adult supervision at all
times and having an entry-proof barrier that surrounds the pool or
spa.
Apply mosquito repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of
eucalyptus, or IR 3535 according to label instructions. Mosquitoes
can carry diseases such as the West Nile virus. Mosquitoes usually
bite in the early morning and evening so it is important to wear
repellent during these times.
For more information on how to stay healthy during hot weather please visit
the Health Department's website at www.longbeach.gov/health.
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