Thursday could bring in the year's first 100-degree day, which would be a record-breaker, said Cynthia Palmer, a forecaster with the National Weather Service. The Sacramento area won't cool down until Sunday or maybe Monday, Palmer said. Winds gusting up to 40 mph near Sacramento International Airport, combined with dry vegetation and humidity that could drop below 20 percent, create the perfect conditions for wildfires, Palmer said.
As summer approaches, El Dorado County health officials are urging residents to prepare now to stay cool and healthy in the upcoming months. “We are asking people to take steps now to ensure their air conditioner is working properly and have a plan in place to stay cool and prevent summer heat injuries,” said
Dr. Jason
Eberhart-Phillips, County Health Officer.
Each summer brings the potential for heat waves. According to Dr. Eberhart-Phillips, heat waves can be extremely dangerous and can cause serious medical problems, especially for people who are elderly, very young, or have chronic medical conditions. “It is more difficult for these individuals to regulate their body temperatures and to adjust to extreme changes in heat,” reports Dr. Eberhart-Phillips. “We understand that some individuals have not used their air conditioners in the past because of concern about the high cost of electricity bills. It is important to conserve energy, however, when temperatures rise above 100 degrees, electric fans are not sufficient to adequately cool a person, especially those who are most vulnerable to the heat.”
The El Dorado County Department of Human Services (DHS) has programs to assist low-income individuals with summer heat planning. One program is available to make homes more energy efficient and to repair or replace air conditioners or evaporative coolers. Another program provides assistance once per year to pay for high energy costs, such as a high electric bill during a summer heat wave. For more information on these programs, or to see if you qualify, contact DHS at (530) 621-6150.
Dr. Eberhart-Phillips offers the following tips on how to stay cool and healthy during hot weather:
- Drink plenty of fluids, such as water and low-calorie sports drinks, to replace salts and minerals lost through sweating.
- Stay indoors in an air-conditioned building. If your home does not have sufficient air conditioning, visit a friend, relative or other location in the community, including libraries, grocery stores, or shopping centers where the air conditioning is working.
- Pace yourself and avoid heavy exertion in the heat.
- Never leave a child or an animal in a parked vehicle, even for a few minutes. Temperatures can quickly rise to dangerous levels in a matter of minutes.
- Check in on neighbors, relatives and friends, particularly those who may be isolated.
For more information and additional tips to stay cool and healthy during the summer, visit www.co.el-dorado.ca.us/publichealth.
