- When Mother Nature turns up the heat, concern shifts to those most vulnerable on the Central Coast like the youngest and oldest in the community.
"It means it's a threat, there are people who can suffer serious consequences from the heat", says Robert Martin with Santa Barbara County's Public Health Department.
Santa Barbara County is among several California counties that have issued heat warnings for the next several days.
Here's how to keep cool during the heat wave:
-- stay indoors as much as possible and drink plenty of water and non-alcoholic or caffeine beverages,
-- if you are going out... do it in the early morning or late in the afternoon and wear sunscreen and light, loose clothing,
-- do not leave pets or young children unattended anywhere... especially in vehicles... and keep prescription drugs out of direct sunlight.
"Heat exhaustion, heat stroke is something that can happen to anybody", Robert Martin says.
Central Coast farmers and growers face stiff penalties for not providing safety education and prevention for those working in the fields in unusual heat.
"So they recognize the symptoms of heat illness and are encouraged to report any symptoms", says Richard Quandt of the Central Coast Grower-Shipper Association, "the workers have access to shade, some employers actually have to have shade structures available for the workers, there's a provision for drinking water, at least one quart per employee per hour, or a replenishment procedure."
