LOS ANGELES, CA — Summer is kicking into full gear and temperatures are rising across the Southland. LA County health officials urge residents to take precautions while participating in outdoor activities. Here are some safety tips to keep you and your family safe during the dog days of summer:
~Stay cool, drink plenty of water and stay hydrated;
~Dress in loose, lightweight and light-colored clothing; and
~Wear a hat to minimize sun exposure and use sunscreen.
People with limited access to air-conditioning can also take advantage of cooling centers, such as libraries, recreation and park centers, and other designated facilities in the city and across the county. A list of centers is available online at bit.ly/BeatTheHeat2015.
And, as always, never leave your kids or pets alone in the car. Leaving a child alone in a car can lead to serious injury or death from heatstroke. Take the time and triple check that all kids have exited the vehicle in this heat.
Exposure to extreme heat can make people seriously ill. Unchecked heat-related illnesses may become a serious problem in a short period of time and can cause death. Though anyone can become a victim to excessive heat, the elderly are among those people most at risk. In recent years, several hundred persons have died in cities across the country as a result of excessive heat during heat waves. Heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstrokes are conditions caused by overexposure to heat. Furthermore, during heavy exercise, a person’s body can generate 10 to 20 times the amount of heat than it does at rest.