Partly cloudy. Windy. Low 71F. Winds SW at 20 to 30 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph..
Partly cloudy. Windy. Low 71F. Winds SW at 20 to 30 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.
With the Ridgecrest temperature at 94 degrees as I write this (and expected to hit three digits by the time you are reading it) it seemed like time for the annual "how to survive in warm weather" tips, although this year I am adding an extra twist.
According to the Red Cross "[e]xtreme heat is the most dangerous type of severe-weather event in the U.S."
Congratulations, Ridgecrest! In addition to rolling with historic earthquakes we also regularly survive the dangers of extreme heat, which apparently outranks hurricanes, floods and ice storms in terms of danger. Not to mention regularly braving our high winds. We are the superheroes of survival, and some of us never even knew it.
Heat is really no laughing matter, of course, and heat-related conditions can be deadly. (See end of this column for more on how to identify heat exhaustion and heat stroke and when to seek medical attention.)
The Red Cross at redcross.org has a ton of tips on getting through extreme heat, including staying hydrated, keeping an eye on all family members and pets, staying in a cool place and seeking treatment for heat-related illness.
But there is more to living than staying alive. These are helpful hints for newcomers and a refresher (ahem) for the rest of us about how to survive and even thrive during this coming summer. (Also, this is not intended to replace medical advice. Take those heat illness warnings seriously.)
Ridgecrest DOs and DON'Ts for hot weather:
DO dress for the heat.
DON'T worry what you look like. When the mercury climbs all fashion rules go out the window. Wearing a tee-shirt, shorts, sandals and a wide-brimmed hat is acceptable garb pretty much everywhere here. Bonus points if the tee-shirt mentions the Ridgecrest earthquakes of 2019.
If you are new to town and used to dressing more formally, don't worry -- you will get over it. This is one place you can wear virtually anything and throw a blazer over it all and consider yourself ready for business. They call it "desert casual" for a reason.
DO wear sunscreen everywhere the sun hits you. I recommend SPF 100 and I am not even kidding. But really, just wear one. Try to find a product that has that good old-fashioned tropical tanning lotion smell. You can catch random whiffs of it during the day and pretend you are on vacation in an exotic locale.
DO wear a hat. And don't just wear it, rock it. A good hat can be a signature look and conversation-starter in addition to protecting you from the sun.
DO wear light colors and layers. I am an old goth who loves black but if I can wear white during the summer you can too.
DON'T sit on a vinyl seat in too-short shorts unless you want the vinyl to stick to your legs, a very yucky feeling. Wrap a light hoodie or long-sleeved cover-up around your waist for protection if you are venturing to unknown places.
DO be careful where you sit outdoors for similar reasons. Similarly, be careful of what you pick up or even touch. Metal can be burning hot.
DO be prepared for wild temperature swings from hot to freezing when you walk into an air-conditioned space. Another reason for layers and that hoodie.
DO stay in air-conditioned spaces as much as possible. If you must be outside be alert for signs of heat-related illnesses.
DON'T try to prove anything by pushing yourself physically outdoors during the heat. Err on the side of caution and stay in that air-conditioned space.
DO get leave your car windows cracked a tiny, tiny bit.
DO get a good heat visor for your front windshield and use it whenever you are not driving. A steering wheel cover is also good. Although this is probably the most unnecessary tip in this list, because putting your fingers on a burning hot steering wheel one time will likely drive you screaming to the nearest auto parts store for something to block the sun the next time around.
DON'T leave anything that could possibly melt or become heat-damaged in your car, not even for five minutes. This includes the obvious items such as chocolate and lipstick as well as a bunch of not-so-obvious ones.
Living in Ridgecrest during the summer can resemble a science experiment in which you determine the melting point of random objects. Things that are not supposed to melt will melt here.
This list includes but is not limited to plastic ID holders, glue holding books together, plastic parts of toys and pens and so on. Water bottles can melt, soda cans can explode (although this usually means just the top popping up). Even things that are supposedly heat proof can disintegrate before your very eyes in our treacherous clime, so be aware.
DON'T worry about spilling water on your clothes or leaving the house with damp hair. It will literally dry in three minutes.
DO bring in curbside grocery deliveries immediately so the food doesn't spoil.
DON'T order anything online between May and September that could possibly melt in transit. Even if the vendor or seller says the item is safe to ship -- unless it's an organ for transplant surrounded by dry ice -- don't necessarily believe them. Cosmetics of all types are known to completely liquefy despite "insulated" containers. Even paint can melt. Be particularly careful of items held together with glue -- not always obvious. I once went over every aspect of a vintage purse with the seller to make sure it was heat-proof only to have a tiny attached mirror fall off when the glue under it melted en route. (No big deal, but a cautionary tale.)
On a related note, DON'T leave anything that can possibly fade in your car. The sun can literally bleach the ink off the page in a shockingly short time (another interesting science experiment).
On the plus side, DO take advantage of the good aspects of our unique climate. Go for walks after dark in safe areas and enjoy perfect temperatures at night.
Most importantly, DO embrace the adventure of it all. People pay a lot of money for extreme experiences and here you are getting one for free. If you don't believe me, visit Death Valley and observe the tourists taking their photos next to the giant thermometer in front of the Furnace Creek Visitor's Center. (Hint: it's probably even hotter there.)
These tourists view the desert experience as an adventure and you can too. Good luck and stay safe.
SIGNS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT STROKE
Signs of heat exhaustion can include heavy sweating, cold, pale and clammy skin and nausea. Signs of heat stroke (the most serious) can include high body temperature (over 104 degrees), hot red skin, fast strong pulse, headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion and passing out.
Seek medical help for heat stroke and for heat exhaustion if vomiting occurs or confusion develops or symptoms last more than an hour after the person cools off and drinks water. See redcross.org for more detailed information and complete list of symptoms.
Jessica Weston is an award-winning columnist whose work has been syndicated across the US. She can be reached at jsaitz@yahoo.com.