The thermometer in the upstairs of this reporter’s 1926 home in Altadena read 104 degrees at 6:30 p.m. today. Like most older homes in the West San Gabriel Foothills, this house lacks air conditioning.
The decision was made not to even think how hot it must have been at the peak four hours earlier.
It did get us thinking about how to stay cool, though, and how recognize symptoms and treat heat-related illnesses that can make one very sick or even cause death in the kind of heat wave that is sweeping across the Los Angeles basin.
“Cooling centers” are available for people sensitive to extreme heat
Heat sensitive people should seek out a “cooling center” to avoid illness. Tips on how to stay cool and a list of local cooling centers can be found at “Triple digits: Heat wave in San Gabriel Foothills, temps in low 100s, sends people to ‘cooling centers’” in this column. For additional locations, download a pdf listing all centers in Los Angeles County or call 211.
Heat-related illnesses can progress from mild to severe
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health advises people to take precautions to protect themselves from the heat and immediately take steps to address heat-related symptoms. The information below shows readers what to look for and how to respond.
Heat Cramps:
• Symptoms include muscular pains and spasms, usually in the stomach, arms or leg muscles.
• Usually results from heavy exertion, such as exercise, during extreme heat.
• Although heat cramps are the least severe of all heat- related problems, they are usually the first signal that the body is having trouble coping with hot temperatures.
• First Aid: Heat cramps should be treated immediately with rest, fluids and getting out of the heat.
• Seek medical attention if pain is severe or nausea occurs.
Heat Exhaustion:
• Symptoms include heavy sweating, pale and clammy moist skin, extreme weakness or fatigue, muscle cramps, headache, dizziness or confusion, nausea or vomiting, fast and shallow breathing, or fainting.
• First Aid: Heat exhaustion should be treated immediately with rest in a cool area, sipping water or a sports drink, applying cool and wet cloths and elevating the feet 12 inches.
• If left untreated, victims may go into heat stroke.
• Seek medical attention if the person does not respond to the above, basic treatment.
Heat Stroke:
• Symptoms include flushed, hot and dry skin (no sweating), high body temperature (above 103F), confusion or dizziness, unconsciousness, throbbing headache, rapid, or strong pulse.
• Heat stroke is the most severe heat-related illness and occurs when a person's temperature control system, which produces sweat, stops working. Heat stroke may lead to brain damage and death.
• First Aid: Call 911. Move victim to a cool shaded area. Fan the body, spray body with water.
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