Staying Cool: How you can beat the heat in the Coachella Valley amid sweltering temperatures
As much as most people can't deal with the scorching desert temperatures, they are here to stay-- at least for the next few months. So how do you keep cool and stay safe when it's 115 degrees outside?
The City of Indio recently added a fourth cooling center at the Indio Public Library at 200 Civic Center Mall. The site will be available to people trying to escape the heat from noon to 8 p.m. on Monday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and on Saturday.
"We’re so glad that the Indio library was able to get on board so you can come here, it’s a little bit later in the day that you can come and cool off. You can get a snack, you can even get water and you can even get resources for utility assistance and a mini fan," Indio director of communications and marketing, Brooke Beare said.
On Monday, Palm Desert's Library shuttered its doors "due to air conditioning issues." Officials advised people to check back to see when the problem was resolved.
"I’m actually from Philadelphia so I’m watching my brother play right now. It’s really hot, trying to stay in the shade as much as possible," Philadelphia resident, Lindsay Levan.
Levan and dozens of other people were in Palm Springs watching a college baseball team despite temperatures climbing past 115 degrees.
"Actually we’re in the shade, we have ice all around us, we have shade, we have drinks, let me tell you it’s hot by my grandson’s playing so we’re here to watch him no matter what," Simi Valley resident, Patricia Cicolello said.
For those that have to be out, such as construction workers, being cautious of the conditions need to be top priority.
"One of the real serious concerns is when some people feel really weak or they’re confused," Eisenhower Health Tennity Emergency Department Medical Director, Dr. Euthym Kontaxis said.
Dr. Kontaxis said it's important to know what signs and symptoms to look for.
"You may not be sweaty, you may lose your sweat and just start to get dehydrated so people don’t really notice."
Majority of the time, Dr. Kontaxis said healthy people should be okay as long as they are not staying out for extended periods of time. The bigger concern is for others, like people with preexisting conditions.
"We also worry about construction workers on roofs, people who are on medications that can sometimes can be affected by extreme heat, but if you’re on any kind of stimulants like for ADD or sometimes psychiatric medicines. You cannot be exposed to the sun because you have some trouble with temperature regulation," said Dr. Kontaxis.
