Take precautions to prevent heat-related emergencies

With scorching temperatures in the forecast through the Labor Day weekend, the City of Mission Viejo is encouraging residents to take precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses.

Here are some tips to stay safe during extreme heat:

• If you don't have air conditioning, consider places you can go to stay cool including the library, mall and movie theater.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Never leave anyone including children and pets in enclosed vehicles.
• Ensure your pets have enough water and a cool space as well.
• Check on the young, elderly and people with medical issues as they are more likely to be impacted by the heat.
• Wear light-colored and loose-fitting clothing.
•  Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day.

Recognizing heat-related emergencies:

Heat cramps - Muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion. Although heat cramps are the least severe, they are often the first signal that the body is having trouble with the heat.

Heat exhaustion - Typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. If not treated, the victim's condition will worsen. The body temperature will keep rising and the victim may suffer heat stroke.

Heat stroke - A life-threatening condition. The victim's temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly.

A Cooling Center will be open at the Library on Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from noon to 5 pm; and at the Marguerite Tennis Pavilion on Saturday from 7 am to 7 pm, Sunday 7 am to 2 pm and Monday 7 am to 2 pm.