Vancouver, Wash. – With weekend temperatures forecasted to reach the upper 90s, Recycled Arts Festival organizers are offering these tips for beating the heat while enjoying the festival:

• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothes.
• Wear a brimmed hat and sunglasses; apply sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher.
• Keep your water bottle filled and drink from it often. Ice water will be provided.
• Consider leaving your pets at home, but water for dogs also will be provided.
• Enjoy the shade. Esther Short Park is usually pleasant under the trees; extra chairs will be provided in the shade.
• Wade in the fountain at the southeast corner of the park. All ages welcome.

“We want people to have a great time, and we want them to be safe,” said Sally Fisher, festival coordinator. “By taking some simple precautions against the heat, people can enjoy themselves and safely celebrate recycled art and sustainability.”

Additional tips for preventing heat-related problems:

• Limit intake of drinks with caffeine, alcohol or lots of sugar.
• Never leave anyone, especially young children, in a parked vehicle. Leave pets at home. Even with windows rolled down, temperatures can rise rapidly in parked vehicles.
• Seek relief in an air-conditioned location, if possible. If your home is not air-conditioned, go to the mall, a movie or the library for a few hours to cool down.
• Cool off by taking a shower or bath or moving to an air-conditioned place. Fans provide comfort, but will not prevent heat-related illness.
• Cut down on exercise, especially in the middle of the day

Heat related illnesses

Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided. Warning signs include: body temperature above 103° F; red, hot and dry skin but no sweating; rapid pulse; throbbing headache; nausea; dizziness; and confusion.

If you see any of these signs, call for immediate medical assistance. Place the person in a tub of cool water or cool shower, or spray the person with cool water from a garden hose. Do not give the person anything to drink.

Less severe heat-related illnesses include heat exhaustion and muscle cramps. Signs are heavy sweating, paleness, weakness, headache and vomiting. Drink nonalcoholic, cool beverages. Seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or last more than an hour.

Additional information

For more information on heat safety, see https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/index.html.

For information on cooling centers in Clark County, see http://cresa911.org/2017/06/22/summer-solstice-scorcher/.

For more information about the Recycled Arts Festival, visit www.RecycledArtsFestival.com and https://www.facebook.com/RecycledArtsFestival/.

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CONTACT
Sally Fisher
Environmental outreach specialist
Public Health
360.397.2121
sally.fisher@clark.wa.gov