Hot Weather Safety Tips for September Heat Wave
September 28, 2012
The National Weather Service warns of an excessive heat watch in effect, this weekend in the Bay Area:
- From Sunday, September 30, 2012 at 1:00 PM
- To Monday, October 1, 2012 at 9:00 PM
Temperatures will warm to some of the highest levels of the year and may be record-breaking, with highs into the 90s, to lower 100s, for many locations in the San Francisco and Monterey Bay region on Sunday. The hottest conditions are expected on Monday.
Areas affected: East Bay Hills and the Diablo Range; East Bay interior valleys; mountains of San Benito County and interior Monterey County including Pinnacles National Monument; North Bay interior valleys; North Bay mountains; northern Salinas Valley, Hollister Valley and Carmel Valley; Santa Clara Valley including San Jose; Santa Cruz Mountains; Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest; southern Salinas Valley, Arroyo Seco and Lake San Antonio.
Here are some hot weather safety tips, to stay cool and prevent heat illnesses:
• Drink plenty of liquids. Drink water and sports drinks—even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol, caffeine and sugar because they make you lose fluids.
• Limit physical activity. Avoid physical activity during the hottest time of the day—10am-3pm.
• NEVER leave people or pets in a closed, parked car.
• Stay in air-conditioned areas. Help keep cool by spending time at malls, libraries, movie theatres and community centers.
• Cool off by taking a bath or shower. Cool, plain water baths or moist towels work best. Do not cool children in alcohol baths.
• Wear cool clothing. Lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing can help you keep cool. Cotton clothes are good because they let sweat evaporate.
• Do not bundle babies. Babies do not handle heat well because their sweat glands are not fully developed. Do not put them in blankets or heavy clothing.
• Cover your head. Wear a wide-brimmed, vented hat or use an umbrella when outdoors because your head absorbs heat easily.
• Wear sunglasses and sunscreen. Use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher when outdoors.
• Rest often in shady areas. Find shady places to cool down when outdoors.
• Download hot weather safety tip sheets and heat-related illness fact sheets (available in English, Vietnamese and Spanish):
• Call 2-1-1 to find local cooling centers in your area. Call-takers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to help you find air-conditioned facilities that are open to the public during hot weather emergencies.
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