Heat wave: Public Health urges residents to take precautions

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As temperatures rise to the 100s again this week, Clark County health officials are urging residents to prevent heat-related illnesses.

The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning, with temperatures reaching 100 degrees, starting Wednesday through Saturday, according to a news release.

For Clark County, temperatures are forecast to remain in the upper 90s on Saturday and overnight low temperatures are expected to stay in the upper 60s.

“The warm overnight temperatures mean people will not find much relief from the heat in the evening,” said Alan Melnick, Clark County health officer and public health director. “It’s important that people find reprieve from the heat. If you don’t have air conditioning in your home, go to a cooling center or a public place with air conditioning or ask if you can visit a friend or family member with air conditioning in their home.”

People are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses when exposed to long periods of high temperatures. Even young and healthy people aren’t immune, stated the release. Those in the high-risk category include the elderly, babies, young children and those with mental illness and chronic disease.

Clark County Public Health encourages residents to regularly check on friends, family members and neighbors who may be at an increased risk, the release stated.

Some steps to prevent heat-related illness include:

- Skip or limit physical activity outdoors.

- Increase your water intake and other nonalcoholic fluids.

- Avoid drinking liquids with caffeine, alcohol or lots of sugar.

- Stay indoors in an air-conditioned location as much as possible.

- Never leave animals or people, especially young children, inside a parked vehicle. Even with the windows rolled down, temperatures inside vehicles rise quickly.

- Fans do not prevent heat-related illnesses. Instead try cooling off in the shower or bath, or move to an air-conditioned place.

- Stick to lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothes.

Left untreated, heatstroke can cause death or permanent disability so it is important to look for signs of heat illness, stated the release.

Warning signs of heatstroke include a body temperature above 103 degrees, rapid pulse, throbbing headache, nausea, dizziness, confusion and red, hot, and dry skin with no sweating. 

If you think someone is experiencing signs of heatstroke, call 911 immediately. Place the person in a bath or cool shower, and do not give the person with symptoms fluids to drink.

There are other less severe heat-related illnesses, including heat exhaustion and muscle cramps. 

Signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, paleness, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache and vomiting

If someone is experiencing heat exhaustion, cool the body by drinking nonalcoholic, cool beverages, move to an air-conditioned place, and take a cool bath or shower. Seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or last more than an hour.

More information about heat-related illness is available on the Clark County Public Health website at clark.wa.gov/public-health.

Clark County is providing several cooling centers with many on C-Tran bus routes, stated the release. Some centers may require social distancing and masks.

Cooling centers include:

  • Camas Public Library, 625 NE Fourth Ave., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday
  • Battle Ground Community Library, 1207 SE Eighth Way from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Saturday 
  • Cascade Park Community Library, 600 NE 136th Ave., Vancouver from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Saturday  
  • La Center Community Library, 1411 NE Lockwood Creek Road from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday
  • Ridgefield Community Library, 210 N Main Ave. from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday
  • Three Creeks Community Library, 800-C NE Tenney Road, Vancouver from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday
  • Vancouver Community Library, 901 C St. from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday 
  • Vancouver Mall Community Library, Vancouver Mall Suite 285 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday
  • Washougal Community Library, 1661 C St. from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday
  • Woodland Community Library, 770 Park St. from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday
  • Yacolt Library Express, 105 E Yacolt Road from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday
  • Mill Plain United Methodist Church, 15804 SE Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver, 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday
  • Orchards Seventh Day Adventist Church, 6415 NE 102nd Ave., Vancouver, 2 to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday
  • St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 400 S Andresen Road, Vancouver, 3:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday
  • St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1309 Franklin Ave., Vancouver, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday 
  • Washougal Community Center, 1681 C St., 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday