Pair of Shasta County Cooling Centers to open as area temperatures soar

REDDING, Calif. — In response to Excessive Heat Warnings being issued throughout the North State region, Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency officials are opening a pair of Cooling Centers to help those unable to find safe shelter from excessive temperatures, which are forecast to reach into the mid-110s over the next week. The centers are being opened just in time, with this week’s projected “extreme and dangerous” heat wave expected to begin in the northwestern U.S. today, with the potential to smash multiple records, according to forecasters.

The two centers, including one at the Shasta College Cafeteria and another at the Shasta Lake City Community Center, will be open from noon to 8 p.m. daily to help provide relief during the hottest parts of the day.

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Prolonged exposure to excessive heat can lead to heat-related illnesses, including heat exhaustion and more seriously heatstroke.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion may include heavy sweating, weakness, nausea and can turn into heatstroke if the person is not cooled down quickly. Excessive heat may also cause fainting or heat cramps, while symptoms of heatstroke include altered mental state; red, hot and dry skin; rapid pulse, throbbing headache, and confusion or unconsciousness. Without immediate treatment and cooling, people with heatstroke can die.

With temperatures expected to range between 105 and 113 degrees over the next week, two cooling centers are being opened to help those who are unable to escape the potentially deadly heat.

Here are some basic heat safety tips to help you stay safe in the sun this summer:

  • Drink lots of water.
  • Avoid dehydrating beverages like caffeinated drinks such as tea, coffee, energy drinks and sodas, alcohol, and sugary drinks.
  • Stay cool indoors, or in an air-conditioned area, if possible. But remember, swamp coolers and fans may not sufficiently prevent heat illness during extreme heat.
  • Take a cool shower or bath to cool off.
  • Wear lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing and use a wide-brimmed hat to keep your head cool.
  • Don’t forget sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher – regardless of skin type – and reapply every two hours while in the sun, especially if you have to be outdoors in the heat.
  • Schedule outdoor activities carefully, with lots of breaks for hydration and cooling down and rest in a shady area often, if possible.
  • Try to be less active during midday and late afternoon, the hottest part of the day.
  • Never, ever, leave children or pets in a parked car.
  • Pace yourself and take frequent, regularly scheduled breaks in a cool or shaded place. Also, make sure to listen to your body – If your heart starts pounding, you become out of breath, lightheaded, weak or feel faint, stop your activity immediately, drink water or juice, and rest in a cool or shady area.
  • If you or someone you know is experiencing throbbing headaches, hot dry skin, or confusion with the heat, seek immediate medical attention. Also, move to a cool area, hydrate, and rest until get to medical attention.
  • Use the buddy system to keep tabs on each other’s well-being. Make sure to check on your friends and family and have someone do the same for you.
  • Check on the elderly and people with health conditions at least twice a day during a heatwave.

Also, keep in mind that health officials say some conditions, such as obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, poor circulation, sunburn, certain medications and drug and alcohol use, can increase risk for heat-related illness and death.

Cooling Center Locations:

  • Shasta Lake City Community Center 
    4499 Main St., City of Shasta Lake
    Sunday, June 27 to Tuesday, June 29
    Noon to 8 p.m.
  • Shasta College Cafeteria
    11555 Old Oregon Trail, Redding Cafeteria Building
    Saturday, June 26 and Sunday, June 27 only
    Noon to 8 p.m.

Additional Resources:

For more information on heat-related safety go to www.shastahhsa.net and click “Staying Safe in Hot Temperatures” at the top of the page. Also, if you are concerned about the safety and well-being of elderly or dependent adult in Shasta County, please contact Adult Protective Services (APS) at 225-5798. APS may be able to assist by conducting a wellness check and ensuring their safety during extreme heat events.

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 49, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source (RCNS) and Shasta County News Source (SCNS).

Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County-based newspapers Valley News, Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; the Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County; and Mountain Echo in Shasta County. He is also a regular contributor to Thin Blue Line TV and Law Enforcement News Network and has had his stories featured on news stations throughout the Southern California and North State regions.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 30 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 18 grandchildren.

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