American Red Cross Reminds You to Stay Safe During Extreme Heat

As summer continues, experts are warning that dangerously high temperatures are heading to Los Angeles communities. The American Red Cross Los Angeles Region urges everyone to remember these three critical actions to keep yourself and your families safe:

1. Stay hydrated by drinking a cup of water every 20 minutes, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid sugary, caffeinated, and alcoholic drinks.

2. Stay cool by spending time in air-conditioned places. If your home is too hot, go to a mall, library, or cooling center.

3. Stay connected by checking on others and asking for help if you need it. Make sure pets have access to fresh water and shade.

What else should you do? Don’t forget to drink water and remind everyone to drink water, even if they don’t feel thirsty. Aim for a cup of water every hour, if you’re outside or doing an athletic activity, it’s recommended to drink a cup of water every 20 minutes.

Make sure athletes and outdoor workers are taking breaks in the shade. If you don’t have air conditioning, find a safe place to go such as a mall, library or

cooling center. Be aware of heat illness signs, anyone can become ill during extreme heat if their body can’t cool down properly.

Signs to be aware of are:

• Heat cramps are signaled by sweating and muscle pain.

• Heat exhaustion is signaled by heavy sweating, weakness, cool and clammy skin, muscle cramps, dizziness, fainting, nausea or vomiting.

• Heat stroke is a deadly condition signaled by high body temperature, rapid heartbeat, confusion, headache, dizziness, fainting, nausea or vomiting. Call 911. Move to a cooler place, remove extra clothing and use a wet cloth or cool bath to cool down. Sip a sports drink or water, if possible.

By Angel Sauceda