As heat goes on, make sure to drink fluids

Hydration key to staying healthy in hot weather

According to a report on the National Weather Service, the heat wave in Yuma is expected to last through 9 p.m. Saturday, with high temperatures ranging from 113-118 through the week.

Those temperatures are exceptionally dangerous, officials note.

The Associated Press interviewed Dr. Moneesh Bhow in Phoenix, who noted that the body’s internal cooling mechanisms are ineffective when temperatures pass 110 degrees. So the body turns to its second mechanism — sweating — to cool off. But if one isn’t hydrated, sweating doesn’t work.

This week especially, drinking plenty of fluids — especially water — is critical to surviving, especially for anyone who will be outside for any length of time.

Heat illness can strike anyone, but is especially problematic for those who work outside.

Early symptoms of heat exhaustion include headache, thirst, dizziness, fainting, nausea, vomiting and muscle cramps.

For those experiencing heat exhaustion, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends moving patients to a cooler location, applying cool, wet cloths to the body, and sipping water. If there is continued vomiting, seek medical attention immediately.

Heat stroke is a more serious concern, with symptoms including a high body temperature, hot, red, dry or moist skin, rapid and strong pulse, and possible unconsciousness.

In those cases, call 911 immediately, and move the person to a cooler space. The CDC also notes that people should not give victims fluids — wait for medical personnel to arrive.

In temperatures such as this, people need to be smart and protect themselves. Stay indoors when possible, seek air conditioned spaces such as libraries or relief shelters, and drink lots of fluids — but avoid alcohol and high sugar drinks, the CDC reports.

Also, don’t leave anyone — adult, child, infant or pet — inside a closed, parked car, as the temperatures will be lethal in a very short period of time.

And if you are looking to help others this week, donate a few cases of water to our local charitable organizations this week. They can certainly use the help!

This week will be a scorcher, Yuma. Take care of yourselves, and stay safe!

DO YOU AGREE WITH THIS OR NOT?

To all veterans, I need your support and help in wanting to bring to your attention a problem with our vets getting prescription drugs. Many cannot get them due to the income they now make, which I feel is discrimination.

When they sign up to join the military, they are not required to provide a financial statement and on the line any bullet coming their way cares not how much money they make, etc. I do not fall into that financial problem as I am on Social Security and get my meds for $11 a month, but if not I would be paying up to $400 a month unless I go to a foreign country, and why should we have to go to Canada or Mexico to buy the same drugs they are buying and then selling at a much lower price, like in Mexico for $65 a month? Many do not have access to Mexico, so they pay whatever pharmacies in the U.S. charge.

We are spending millions on freebies for illegal immigrants in this country but our vets are penalized if they make too much money, which is taxed, and that tax money is used to aid those who come here with a hand out.

So far I am a lone voice asking you to put pressure needed to get the VFW, Legion and DAV organizations plus legislators in making changes that need to be made so all vets can afford them.

Feel free to contact me. Yuma Sun for her brief but concise article of May 28th in the Sun regarding subject.

First: For those of you that read the article and/or participate in RV-related activities, pay close attention to what this is really about and how it will affect you. By staff’s own admissions, alleged complaints triggered the amendments as the city didn’t have anything “strong” in the code that addressed large vehicles blocking visibility in the driveway, and forcing people to pay high storage cost would be a “perfect solution.” In fact, the Planning Director reminded the council that some communities don’t allow you to park in the driveway at all. And, “although it is your property, zoning covers private property ... that’s what we do.” To professional urban planners everything is common, regulated, and one solution fits all.

Second: Of the attending members of the council, only two commented during the May 2nd work session. The mayor, who challenges the ability to enforce the changes, and deputy mayor who addresses the proposed 6 foot height limitation that would affect his personal truck, and the 5 foot additional front set back from the property line. When all was said and done, they settled on “low profile” (to be defined by the enforcement administrator) and additional 5 foot setback, which pretty much eliminates parking of any RV equipment in the front, despite the alleged visibility impairment having been eliminated with the new language. In the end, despite the mayor and deputy mayor concerns, the council voted unanimously to adopt the proposed changes. For you RV’ers, keep that in mind when you go to the poles in August. Obviously your extracurricular activities equipment and how you use your property is not of importance to the council members.

Finally: I have no doubt the city gets some complaints, but to develop and adopt vague language to aid enforcement does little for community/city relations. The last thing the residents need is a city HOA defining what’s best for us.