Heat plans should include a real cooling place

Find a cooling place before the hottest part of the day. Call 211 or check with the county, city, or local health department. Before you leave, confirm the address and today’s hours. Also ask about rides, access needs, and pet rules. A library or community center may help. But the CDPH cooling-center page is guidance for local agencies. It is not a live statewide list or a promise that a site is open.

Heat risk can grow over several hot days and warm nights. Some people may need to leave sooner and have someone check on them. This includes older adults, infants, outdoor workers, and pregnant people. It also includes people with chronic illness, people taking some medicines, people without reliable cooling, and anyone who lives alone. Never leave a child, dependent adult, or pet in a parked vehicle.

Heat stroke can cause confusion, fainting, or loss of consciousness. Other signs include a very high temperature, red or hot skin, nausea, dizziness, a fast pulse, or a severe headache. Call 911 at once. Move the person to shade or cooling. Use water or cold, wet cloths to cool them while help comes. Do not give fluids to a person showing signs of heat stroke.