Tips on how to stay safe during SLO County’s looming heat wave — for you and your pets

Are you ready for the heat, San Luis Obispo County?

A heat wave is expected to roll into the region beginning Tuesday and Wednesday.

Daytime temperatures in the Paso Robles and interior valleys of the county will see temperatures likely top 100 degrees through at least Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.

San Luis Obispo and coastal areas of the county should remain cooler — peaking in the high 80 degrees through Sunday, the Weather Service predicts.

The Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch for counties east of San Luis Obispo, where temperatures are expected to reach past 105 degrees multiple days in a row. San Luis Obispo County areas are not expected to exceed 105 degrees for more than one day at a time.

Luckily, there are areas where residents can go to cool off from the triple-digit heat.

Those living in Paso Robles can go to the Library at 1000 Spring St. from Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to Angelica Fortin, the city’s community services department director.

The city’s senior center will also be available for people of all ages to cool down at 270 Scott St. on Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m..

Centennial Pool at 600 Nickerson Drive will also be open to the public, Fortin said, from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday for a cost of $5 per day.

Keep yourself safe during the heat wave

To avoid heat-related illnesses, the San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department advises that residents stay in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible. If your home doesn’t have air conditioning, public spaces such as libraries, shopping centers or community cooling centers are good places to go, Public Health says on its website.

People should avoid exercising or working outdoors during the hottest times of day, the department advises. While outdoors, wear lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing.

Keeping a spray bottle of water in the fridge can help you cool down quickly from the heat, and it’s smart to drink more water than you’d normally drink, the department said.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include: heavy sweating, weakness, cold, pale and clammy skin; fast and weak pulse; nausea or vomiting; and fainting.

Heat stroke symptoms include: high body temperature above 103 degrees; hot, red, dry or moist skin and no sweating; rapid and strong pulse; and confusion and possible unconsciousness.

“If you see signs of either illness, immediately move the person to a cooler area to lie down and rest,” the Public Health Department says on its website. “Cool the person with a cool shower, bath or wet cloth.”

Most people can recover from heat exhaustion without medical attention, while heat stroke is a medical emergency. In the case of heat stroke, call 911 immediately, the health department advises.

Keep your pets safe during the heat

Those with pets should be careful to never leave them in a parked car in the heat, the Humane Society of the United States advises.

“On an 85-degree day, for example, the temperature inside a car with the windows opened slightly can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes,” the Humane Society’s website says. “After 30 minutes, the temperature will reach 120 degrees.”

This could cause your pet to suffer from irreversible organ damage, or they could die, the Humane Society said.

During the heat, limit exercise, don’t rely on a fan to cool off a pet, and provide ample shade and water, the Humane Society advises.

Signs of heatstroke in pets include “heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst, lethargy, fever, dizziness, lack of coordination, profuse salivation, vomiting, a deep red or purple tongue, seizure and unconsciousness,” the Humane Society’s website says.

If your pet exhibits these symptoms, get them to a cool area immediately, apply ice packs or cold towels to their head, neck and chest, let them drink small amounts of water and take them to a veterinarian, the Human Society advises.