It's summertime in the Coachella Valley, which means one thing: Sweltering triple-digit days for the foreseeable future.
Protecting ourselves from the sun and heat this time of year is of the upmost importance, especially as heat-related illness can cause injury or death. So far in 2024, there have been 204 heat-related emergency room visits in the Coachella Valley, according to the Riverside County Heat-Related Illness Dashboard. Fortunately, there have been zero deaths in the county this year. In 2023, there were 32 heat-related deaths in Riverside County.
The Desert Sun asked medical professionals for some tips for staying safe and enjoying summertime — despite the excessive heat. Read on for their most helpful advice.
Be 'situationally aware' and consider changing your schedule during summer months
Dr. Euthym Kontaxis, medical director of Eisenhower's Tennity Emergency Department, said Coachella Valley residents have to be "situationally aware" this summer. That means planning days around the heat and making lifestyle changes.
"Is it really necessary to go shopping at 2 in the afternoon when you could do it at 7 in the morning or evening?" he said. "Put yourself in a situation that's more safe. Have people with you if you're going to do any kind of activities outside."
So far this season, a number of patients have visited the emergency room with burns on their feet from walking on hot surface areas and heat-related illnesses from golfing, he said. There are a number of tips valley residents should keep in mind to avoid their own trips to the hospital.
What type of sunscreen should you use in the desert?
Reapply sunscreen often, especially after getting out of water. There are plenty of brands available to choose from, but Kontaxis recommends using sunscreen with at least SPF 30 protection. He also believes the more basic the sunscreen, meaning with less perfumes and additives, the better. Using children's sunscreen might be the best option for many because "they usually have more regulation."
If residents are cooling off in a pool, they should also wear a hat to keep them shaded and to protect their scalp from burns. Kontaxis advises against sunbathing.
Always wear shoes when walking around the pool deck or other surface areas, such as sidewalks, as those surfaces get really hot during the day and can cause extreme burns. Elderly people also need to be very careful to not fall if walking around.
Some people can't avoid being out in the sun and heat all day, such as construction workers, farmworkers and landscapers. These workers should take frequent breaks, hydrate themselves with water and electrolytes, start work early if possible and wear breathable, long-sleeve clothing and hats to shield them from direct sunlight.
Certain medications, such as psychiatric medicines, can also have profound effects on temperature regulation, Kontaxis said. These medications can affect the thermal regulator area of the brain and lead to overheating or heat stroke. Contact your doctor to learn more if you are at risk.
Perhaps the most important advice is to never leave children or pets in a locked car, even if the engine and AC are running.
"There's the danger that the kid could put the car in gear, but the other thing is what if the car somehow stops or overheats? It can be a matter of minutes before someone dies or has a significant injury," Kontaxis said.
He also reminds residents to have water, snacks and shade devices available in cars if they fail or overheat and are stranded until help arrives.
How should I protect my children from the sun this summer?
Adults are far from the only ones who need to be careful this summer. Our littlest valley residents are even more sensitive to prolonged sun and heat exposure due to their delicate skin, said pediatrician Dr. Rebecca Ward from Desert Care Network’s Family Medicine Center.
Infants and toddlers don't sweat as much as older children and adults do, which makes it more difficult for their bodies to cool down, and they have a higher body surface to body size ratio, which means they absorb more ambient heat, Ward said. When little ones do sweat, it's not uncommon for them to get a heat rash because their skin is not as porous and sweat becomes trapped below the surface of the skin, she added. Infants and young adolescents also have greater difficulty acclimating to heat, and it may take them a couple of weeks to fully adjust.
So what should parents and guardians do to keep their little ones safe this summer?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding sunscreen products on infants under 6 months old because they haven't been tested extensively in that age range and their skin is more absorbent. Instead, parents should dress them in lightweight clothing and hats. However, if parents can't avoid keeping their babies out of the sun for a prolonged amount of time, Ward said it's OK to use a small amount of zinc oxide- or titanium dioxide-based sunscreens on the hands and face.
Kids are always itching to go outside and play, but extra precautions need to take place this summer. If possible, avoid going out between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when it's the hottest, and especially if there's a heat warning in the area. When they are outside, Ward suggests having children take frequent breaks in the shade to rest and drink water or beverages with electrolytes, like Gatorade, to cool down before resuming play.
If a child is starting to overheat, they should be taken to a cool environment as quickly as possible and drink water. Parents and guardians can pour water on the back of their necks and wrists, put some ice packs or cool cloths under the armpits and around the neck or take a cool bath, Ward added. Popsicles and ice cream are also helpful in these situations.
The pediatrician advises parents not to apply rubbing alcohol on kids' skin to cool them down.
"Even though it feels cooling, it actually isn't doing anything to cool your body down," Ward said. "That can actually be absorbed through the skin, especially in infants and young children, and it can be toxic."
Overheating may include heat fainting. If a child quickly comes to and is not acting confused, it's not something to be concerned about, Ward said, and they should take a break and drink water before resuming activity. What is more concerning is if they don't come to quickly or if they're confused, even if they don't faint. Additionally, parents need to be on high alert if children begin vomiting, are nauseous, have headaches or dizziness, which are all signs of possible heat exhaustion, and begin rapid cooling methods. If they're not back to normal after 30 minutes, it may be a sign of heat stroke, which requires immediate medical attention.
Where are the cooling centers in the Coachella Valley?
A number of cooling centers are open for local residents to take advantage of this summer. Here's each center's address, as well as their operating hours:
- Cathedral City Public Library: 33-520 Date Palm Drive, Cathedral City; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, noon-8 p.m. Wednesday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday
- Coachella Senior Center: 1540 7th St., Coachella; 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
- Desert Hot Springs Library: 14-380 Palm Drive, Desert Hot Springs; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, noon-4 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday
- Desert Hot Springs Senior Center (seniors only): 11-777 West Drive, Desert Hot Springs; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday
- Coachella Valley Rescue Mission: 84-110 Manila St., Indio; 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Sunday
- Dr. Rios Clinica Medica Familiar y Dentista: 82-935 Avenue 48, Indio; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday
- Indio Senior Center (seniors only): 45-700 Aladdin St., Indio; 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday
- Martha’s Village & Kitchen: 83-791 Date Ave., Indio; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Sunday
- Molina One Stop Health Center: 81-735 Highway 111, Indio; 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
- La Quinta Wellness Center: 78-450 Ave La Fonda, La Quinta; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday
- CSUSB – Palm Desert Campus: 37-500 Cook St., Palm Desert; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday
- Joslyn Center (55 and older): 73-750 Catalina Way, Palm Desert; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday
- Portola Community Center: 45-480 Portola Ave., Palm Desert; 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday
- Demuth Community Center: 3601 E. Mesquite Ave., Palm Springs; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday
- James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center: 480 W. Tramview Road, Palm Springs; 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
- Palm Springs Public Library: 300 S. Sunrise Way, Palm Springs; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday and Thursday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.
Most Popular
Comments / 0