It’s summer in the Coachella Valley, and that means one thing: temperatures here will be scorching hot and cold for the foreseeable future.
This time of year, it is extremely important to protect yourself from the sun and heat, especially because heat-related illnesses can lead to injury or death. According to the Riverside County Heat-Related Illness Dashboard, there have been 204 heat-related emergency room visits in the Coachella Valley so far in 2024. Fortunately, there have been no deaths in the county this year. In 2023, there have been 32 heat-related deaths in Riverside County.
The Desert Sun asked medical professionals for tips on how to stay safe and enjoy summer despite the extreme heat. Read on to find out their most helpful advice.
Be aware of the situation and consider changing your schedule during the summer months
Dr. Euthym Kontaxis, medical director of Eisenhower’s Tennity Emergency Department, said Coachella Valley residents need to be “situationally alert” this summer. That means planning their days around the heat and making lifestyle changes.
“Is it really necessary to go shopping at 2 p.m. when you could do it at 7 a.m. or 7 p.m.?” he asked. “Put yourself in a safer situation. Take people with you when you go out.”
This season, he said, several patients have come to the emergency room with burns to their feet from walking on hot surfaces and heat-related illnesses from playing golf. There are a number of tips that valley residents should follow to avoid having to go to the hospital themselves.
What type of sunscreen should you use in the desert?
Reapply sunscreen frequently, especially after getting out of the water. There are many brands to choose from, but Kontaxis recommends sunscreen with at least SPF 30. He also believes the simpler the sunscreen, meaning it has less perfume and additives, the better. Using children’s sunscreen might be the best option for many, as “they usually have more regulations.”
When residents cool off in a pool, they should also wear a hat to provide shade and protect their scalp from burns. Kontaxis advises against sunbathing.
Always wear shoes when walking around the pool deck or other surfaces such as walkways, as these surfaces get very hot during the day and can cause severe burns. Elderly people also need to be very careful not to fall while walking around.
Some people cannot avoid being in the sun and heat all day, such as construction workers, farm workers, and landscapers. These workers should take frequent breaks, drink plenty of water and electrolytes, start work early when possible, and wear breathable, long-sleeved clothing and hats that protect them from direct sunlight.
Certain medications, such as psychiatric drugs, can also have significant effects on temperature regulation, Kontaxis said. These drugs can affect the area of the brain responsible for temperature regulation, leading to overheating or heat stroke. Talk to your doctor to learn more if you are at risk.
Perhaps the most important advice is: never leave children or pets in a locked car, even when the engine and air conditioning are running.
“There is a risk that the child could put the car in gear. But what happens if the car stalls or overheats? It can only be a matter of minutes before someone dies or is seriously injured,” Kontaxis said.
He also reminds residents to keep water, snacks and sunscreen in their cars in case they break down or overheat and they 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 cautious this summer. Our littlest valley dwellers are even more sensitive to prolonged sun and heat exposure because of their delicate skin, said pediatrician Dr. Rebecca Ward of the Desert Care Network’s Family Medicine Center.
Infants and toddlers don’t sweat as much as older children and adults, making it harder for their bodies to cool down. They also have a larger body surface area to height ratio, meaning they absorb more ambient heat, Ward said. When little ones sweat, it’s not uncommon for them to get a heat rash because their skin isn’t as porous and sweat gets trapped under the skin’s surface, she added. Infants and young adolescents also have more difficulty acclimating to heat, and it can take a few weeks for them to fully adjust.
So what should parents and guardians do to ensure the safety of their little ones this summer?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding sunscreen on infants under 6 months of age because it hasn’t been extensively tested in this age group and their skin is more receptive. Instead, parents should dress their children in light clothing and hats. However, if parents can’t avoid keeping their babies out of the sun for long periods of time, Ward says it’s OK to apply a small amount of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide-based sunscreen to the hands and face.
Kids can’t wait to get outside and play, but extra precautions are needed this summer. If possible, avoid going out between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when it’s hottest, and especially if the area is under a heat advisory. When they’re outside, Ward recommends that kids take frequent breaks in the shade to rest and drink water or drinks with electrolytes like Gatorade to cool down before playing again.
If a child begins to overheat, he or she should be moved to a cool environment as soon as possible and given water to drink. Parents and guardians can pour water on the neck and wrists, place ice packs or cool towels 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 cool their children’s skin with rubbing alcohol.
“Even though it feels cooling, it doesn’t actually cool the body,” Ward said. “It can actually be absorbed through the skin, especially in infants and young children, and it can be toxic.”
Overheating can cause fainting. If a child comes to quickly and does not appear confused, there is no need to worry, Ward said, and they should take a break and drink water before resuming activity. More concerning is if they do not come to quickly or are confused even if they do not pass out. In addition, parents need to be on high alert if children start vomiting, have nausea, headaches or dizziness, all of which are signs of possible heat exhaustion, and begin rapid cooling methods. If they do not return 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?
This summer, there are numerous cooling centers available to residents. Here are the addresses of the centers and their opening hours:
- Cathedral City Public Library: 33-520 Date Palm Drive, Cathedral City; Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Coachella Senior Center: 1540 7th St., Coachella; 8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Monday–Friday
- Desert Hot Springs Library: 14-380 Palm Drive, Desert Hot Springs; Monday to Wednesday 11am-4pm, Thursday 12pm-4pm, Saturday 11am-4pm
- Desert Hot Springs Senior Center (seniors only): 11-777 West Drive, Desert Hot Springs; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday
- Rescue mission in the Coachella Valley: 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; Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
- Indio Senior Center (seniors only): 45-700 Aladdin St., Indio; 7:30 a.m.–4:00 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; Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- 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; 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Monday–Friday
- Portola Community Center: 45-480 Portola Ave., Palm Desert; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to 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; Monday and Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter at @ema_sasic.
