Tracy Press

Concerted heat-relief measures save lives in the valley during last week's sweltering heat.

News of the sweltering heat was grim last week in Northern California: At least three people died in their overheated homes, and a 42-year-old farmworker died after loading grapes in Kern County.

High atmospheric pressure combined with hot wind and long days of sunshine led Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to enact the state’s emergency plan and call for doctors and veterinarians to warn about taking precautions against heat stroke. Alerts also went out about air quality, rated as unhealthy, as smoke from coastal and northern wildfires filled the valley skies.

Two years ago, 160 people died in California during a July heat wave. But the death toll from annual hot spells has dropped ever since the state enacted a new emergency plan in 2007 that created cooling centers and set up call centers to give out information about dealing with the heat.

Here in Tracy, when the temperature reached 105, the city turned Lolly Hansen Senior Center into a cooling center for three days and nights last week. Firefighters checked on the people at the cooling center. Police officers took the temperature from inside a closed patrol car on a 106-degree day and found it to be 182 degrees. Then they sent out notices about the dangers of leaving children or pets in cars that can turn into ovens in the summer sun.

Also last week, a downtown business opened as a cooling center for people with pets but no air conditioning. The shop set up a play area for animals, played movies for their owners and served cold water and tea from another downtown store.

And, of course, there were pools for splashing. The two high school pools and the Joe Wilson Community Pool, at 900 W. Lowell Ave., are open to the public.

Triple digits will likely be back in the coming month. We applaud the cooling efforts of the city and state — and especially the businesses, churches, relatives, friends and neighbors who keep an eye out for anyone who might be suffering in the heat.

• First, recognize symptoms of heat-related illnesses. Excessive sweating or suddenly stopping sweating, poor concentration, muscle pain and dizziness are all signs of heat stress.

• Get out of the sun and find a cool resting place. Drink cool, fresh water throughout the day, at least four 8-ounce glasses per hour.

• Know your rights on the job. Workers are entitled access to fresh, cool drinking water and shade throughout the day.

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