SAN DIEGO — If you’re planning to hike or exercise in high temperatures during an Excessive Heat Warning, experts are advising people to use extra caution.
Key safety tips include bringing more water than you think you need, exercising during the early morning or evening hours, wearing a hat and sunscreen and taking frequent breaks. If you're feeling weak or tired, don't continue on and be mindful about bringing your pets. Experts warn every year, pets succumb to the heat.
CBS 8 asked UC San Diego Emergency Physician Christanne Coffey what signs to look out for when it comes to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
"Fatigue, maybe some nausea, probably not vomiting, yet, often a lot of sweating. Or feeling maybe a mild headache, just not feeling their normal kind of physical stamina they typically have. You want to notice that immediately and try to reverse them from getting more hot, because it can progress to heat stroke, and often with heat stroke in general, those symptoms kind of the definition is some type of neurologic change. So those people may be very confused. You may come upon, upon someone on the trail that's completely unconscious," said Dr. Coffey.
Dr. Coffey suggests finding shade for yourself or someone else in distress. If there's no shade around, consider using an article of clothing to make a shade structure. If water is available, douse yourself to cool down, and call 911.
Here is additional information about staying safe in the high heat:
- First and foremost, if you find someone who is suffering from symptoms of heatstroke or heat exhaustion—dizziness, nausea, confusion, headache—call 9-1-1 and start cooling them. But DO NOT give them fluids to drink. A person with heatstroke may not be able to swallow. Fluids could run down their tracheas into their lungs and make it hard for them to breathe.
- After calling 9-1-1, start cooling the person by moving them into the shade, spraying them with cool water and fanning. Place them in a cool shower if they are alert, monitor their body temperatures and continue cooling them.
- Stay in an air-conditioned area during the hottest hours of the day. Even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler. Do not rely on electric fans for cooling if temperatures exceed 90 degrees.
- Wear light, loose-fitting clothing.
- Drink plenty of water (avoid alcohol and sugary drinks) and don’t wait until you are thirsty.
- Take cool showers.
- Never leave a child, elderly person, or pet unattended in a car.
- Keeping pets cool in hot weather.
- Avoid unnecessary hard work or activities outside during the hottest part of the day.
- Avoid unnecessary sun exposure and wear a wide-brim hat if you need to be in the sun.
- Avoid using the oven to cook.
- Keep your pets indoors if the temperature is lower inside.
- Exercise pets in the early morning hours or early evening to avoid prolonged exposure to the heat. Avoid strenuous runs or hikes.
- Keep your pets’ water supply in a tip-proof container, always topped off, and be sure it stays cool (pets will not drink water that is too hot).
- Consider a misting system to keep the outdoor areas cooler.
- Be sure your pet has shade ALL DAY if they are outside. Remember, the sun’s position changes during the day.
- Do not take your pets for car trips unless necessary. A car can heat up very quickly. On an 85-degree day, a car can reach 102 degrees in 10 minutes and soar upward even with the windows down an inch or two.
- Don’t take your dogs for walks on the hot pavement. If it is too hot for you to walk barefoot, then don’t make your dogs do it either.
- Consider adding a child’s wading pool for your dog. Many dogs will keep cool by “taking a dip.”
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