Kern County Public Health urges residents to protect themselves from the heat as triple digit temperatures are expected for the first time this year on Wednesday afternoon.

Heat poses a substantial health risk, especially for vulnerable populations including young children, the elderly, those with chronic diseases or disabilities, and pregnant women. People suffer heat-related illness when their bodies are unable to cool themselves properly. Heat-related illness includes cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and death. Warning signs of heat-related illnesses may include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, headache, and nausea. Vomiting, paleness, fatigue and dizziness can also be indicators of heat-related illness.

“Understanding the warning signs of heat-related illness is vitally important, as extreme heat can pose a significant risk to your health,” says Brynn Carrigan, director of Public Health Services. “As temperatures begin to rise in Kern County, I urge everyone to practice heat safety to prevent any heat-related tragedies.”

Tips to stay safe during heat risk:

• Drink plenty of water, even if you are not thirsty. Avoid drinks that contain caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of sugar.

• Avoid outdoor physical exertion during the hottest parts of the day.

• Wear a wide-brimmed hat to cover the face and neck and loose-fitting clothing.

• Regularly check on any elderly relatives or friends who live alone. Many may be on medications which increase likelihood of dehydration.

• Use cool compresses, misting, showers and baths. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience a rapid, strong pulse, you feel delirious or have a body temperature above 102 degrees.

• Never leave infants, children, elderly or pets in a parked car. It can take as little as 10 minutes for the temperature inside a car to rise to levels that can kill.

• Visit this website http://www.kerncounty.com/government/parks/facilities/cooling-center-criteria/ to see if there are any Cooling Centers available in your area.