As energy prices and temperatures rise, keeping cool in summer is an additional and costly challenge for many Angelenos.
The most vulnerable are often older people and people with low incomes who cannot afford the electricity bills to keep their homes cool, or live in apartments where landlords don’t keep air conditioning units in good repair.
Extreme heat waves are occurring more often, and lasting longer. Rising fossil fuel emissions are raising global average temperatures, making heat waves more frequent and intense. Extreme heat takes a toll on the body, and can exacerbate existing health conditions.
For some, it creates hard choices between paying climbing energy bills and putting gas in the car or food on the table. The health risks of heat need to be taken seriously. Here’s what you can do to keep you and your home cool.
Keep your body cool
If you’re under the blazing sun for too long, you can be at risk for heat-related illnesses. If you have to be outside, pay close attention to your body and stay hydrated.
There are varying degrees of heat-related illness and all are preventable. You should cool off immediately if you feel any of these symptoms: headaches, dizziness, nausea, muscle cramping, loss of appetite, excessive sweating, fast breathing and intense thirst.
How do I know if it’s heat stroke?
If your body’s temperature hits 104 Fahrenheit, heat stroke can set in, which requires urgent medical help. Danger signs include sweat stopping — that’s when you feel hot but aren’t sweating and may have breathing difficulties.
Heat stroke can lead to loss of consciousness and serious complications, including…
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