AVOID HEAT RELATED ILLNESSES AS SUMMER TEMPS RISE
- Temperatures in Mesa County typically peak in July every year. Protect yourself and your family by preventing heat related illness.
- Limit outdoor activity, especially mid-day, when it is the hottest.
- Avoid alcohol or liquids containing large amounts of sugar.
- Seek shade and give yourself a break from the sun and heat.
- Drink lots of water and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.
- Never leave infants, children or pets in a parked car.
- Keep in mind, the pavement is too hot for your pet’s paws if it’s too hot for your bare feet or hands. Test the pavement by placing your hand or foot on the surface for 10 seconds.
- Heat Exhaustion
- Symptoms:
- Heavy sweating
- Weakness
- Cold, pale and clammy skin
- Fast, weak pulse
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fainting
- Treatment:
- Move to a cooler location.
- Lie down and loosen your clothing.
- Apply cool, wet cloths to as much of your body as possible.
- Sip water.
- If you have vomited and it continues, seek medical attention immediately.
- Symptoms:
Heat Stroke:
-
- Symptoms
- High body temperature (above 103 °F)
- Hot, red dry or moist skin
- Rapid and strong pulse
- Possible unconsciousness
- Treatment:
- Call 911 immediately – this is a medical emergency.
- Move the person to a cooler environment.
- Reduce the person’s body temperature with cool cloths or even a bath.
- Do NOT give fluids.
- Symptoms
DO YOUR PART TO LIMIT MOSQUITO POPULATIONS, WEST NILE VIRUS IN MESA COUNTY
- Temperatures are expected to hit the triple digits, this week, which means any standing water on your property could become a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes, as the insect lays groups of eggs on the surface of standing water.
- Mesa County typically sees cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) each summer. Reducing populations near your home will decrease your risk of getting WNV.
- Eliminate breeding sites on your property.
- Empty rain barrels, bird baths, tin cans, old tires, car bodies, cisterns, roof gutters, plastic pools and any other containers that hold water on your property.
- Drill holes in the bottoms of recycling containers that are kept outdoors.
- Clean vegetation and debris from the edges of ponds.
- Clip tall grass or weeds standing near the house or where people use the yard.
- It’s never too early in the summer to protect yourself and your family against mosquito bites.
- Use insect repellent containing DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus, IR3535 or picaridin.
- Wear long pants and long shirts whenever possible – without risking heat-related illness.
- Avoid going outside during dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
- Use screens on windows and doors and repair holes to keep mosquitoes outside.
- Prepare accordingly for trips where mosquitoes will be prevalent – camping, hiking, boating, etc.
- Visit the Illness & Injury page at health.mesacounty.us to learn more about West Nile Virus prevention and symptoms.