Heat Related E.R. Visits Spike
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Deadly heat is blanketing the country and of course right here in the Coachella Valley scorching temperatures are back, teetering near record levels. Video by kmir6.com
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PALM DESERT--Deadly heat is blanketing the country and of course right here in the Coachella Valley scorching temperatures are back, teetering near record levels.
Some kids in Cathedral City had the right idea, playing in fountains outside of city hall to keep cool in the hot temperatures.
If they're not careful they could end up in the emergency room.
"We usually see a significant rise when the temperature rises," Euthym Kontaxis, M.D., Medical Director at Eisenhower Medical Center said. "When the temperatures start getting over 100 on a regular basis we see quite a number of heat related illnesses."
Already visits to Eisenhower Medical Center's Emergency Room are up twenty five percent. The heat is simply too much for some people to take, but others are going against doctors orders, saying the sunshine, even at 110 plus degrees can be good for you.
"Gets you acclimated a little bit," said Rancho Mirage resident Steve Armstrong. "You can't stay out very long but if you don't get out in it at all and then find yourself stranded in it, you're going to get in trouble."
Still doctors recommend staying out of the sun completely during the peak of the heat. They suggest hanging out in air conditioned places as much as possible.
"You can go to the swimming pool you can go to the aquatic center, or Knott's Soak City or you can just come to the library," 11-year-old Emon Shaaf said. "It's a fun place to be. It's cool, it has a little snack place, it has computers, you can read books, it's pretty fun."
A message heard loud and clear at the Rancho Mirage Library where hundreds more visitors walk through the doors on scorching days like this one.
"I would expect a day like today where it's over 110 we'll probably get 1500 people through the doors," David Bryant, Rancho Mirage Library Director said.
People just trying to stay cool. Near record temperatures continue to keep doctors busy as people searching for relief from the summer heat.
--Adrianna Weingold
aweingold@kmir6.com
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