SACRAMENTO, Calif. — An impending heat wave is expected to scorch the Sacramento Valley with potentially record-setting temperatures nearing 115 degrees Fahrenheit this weekend. Doctors are warning people to limit exposure.
Outdoor workers, people with disabilities, children, and the elderly are the most at risk of serious heat-related illnesses, according to the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Athletes who exercise outdoors and those with chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes should also take extra caution, according to ABC 10 Medical Expert Dr. Payal Kohli.
“It can affect our water delivery, it can increase the risk of foodborne illnesses, it can affect our electricity,” she said.
It can also have a serious impact on our health, Kohli said. The best way to prevent potential heat illness is to avoid exposure to the heat by staying indoors in air-conditioned areas, staying hydrated and avoiding sugary drinks, and wearing loose-fitting and light-colored clothing, the CDC says.
The inside of vehicles and asphalt can also become dangerously hot. It’s important to be extra cautious when bringing pets or children outdoors on hot days.
“Extreme heat or heat waves occur when the temperature reaches extremely high levels or when the combination of heat and humidity cause the air to become oppressive,” a CDC warning flier on heat writes.
More than 650 people die of heat in the U.S. each year, according to the CDC’s latest data.
