As above average temperatures are expected in Santa Barbara County through the weekend, it is a good time for residents to remember precautions to prevent serious health conditions related to heat.

Although hot weather is expected at certain times of the year, it can and does have serious health affects. County Health Officer, Dr. Takashi Wada notes, “Heat causes about 400 deaths per year in the United States, more than all other natural disasters combined. What’s most important is that all heat-related illnesses are preventable.”
Seniors, infants and young children, and people with chronic health conditions are most vulnerable to health problems during hot weather. For those who are not in these high risk categories, it is helpful to check on family members, neighbors, and friends during extremely hot weather.
To prevent overheating, use cool compresses, misting, showers and baths. Call 911 immediately if someone is experiencing a rapid, strong pulse, is feeling delirious, becomes unconscious or has a body temperature above 102oF.

Recommendations to prevent health affects of hot weather are:

• Drink plenty of non-alcoholic liquids
• Reduce strenuous activities
• Be less active during the hottest part of the day
• Take cool showers/baths frequently
• Wear lightweight, light colored clothing. Wear a hat when outdoors.
• Check frequently on those at high risk
• Never leave children, the elderly, or pets in enclosed automobiles even if the windows are partially open. Temperatures can quickly rise to life threatening levels.

Staying in an air conditioned environment is often the best option and there are a number of public places with air conditioning where people can go to cool off during the day. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to a store, shopping mall, library or other place with air conditioning. Even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat.
You can find additional tips on staying safe in hot weather at:
www.cdph.ca.gov/Pages/PreventionTipsForHotSummer.pdf
www.cdc.gov/Features/ExtremeHeat/

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY — Construction on a project to build a safety/suicide barrier on the Cold Spring Bridge along State Route 154 began on Monday, June 28, Caltrans officials have announced.

The first order of work will include drilling holes on the bridge.  Ultimately, Caltrans will install a grid mesh barrier along both sides of the structure which has experienced 53 suicides since it was opened in 1964. “When completed, this section of State Route 154 will provide a safer environment for all travelers on the bridge,” said Caltrans District 5 Director Rich Krumholz. Motorists will encounter one-way traffic control with flaggers Monday through Thursday from 9 am to 3 pm, with minimal travel delays. No lanes will be closed on Fridays or weekends. Detour signs will direct bicyclists and pedestrians onto Paradise and Stagecoach Roads during the project. The CHP will be present to help maintain a safe construction zone for motorists and workers.

All businesses and attractions in the Santa Ynez Valley will remain open and accessible via State Route 154 and the bridge, which will not be closed at any time during construction.

 The contractor for this $778,000 project is Bugler Construction of Pleasanton, CA, which is expected to be completed by this fall.

LOCAL FUEL MITIGATION PROJECTS

Coordinated by
WILDLAND RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION, Inc.,
San Marcos Pass Volunteer Fire Department

Funded by
CALIFORNIA FIRE SAFE COUNCIL

For further information

www.wildlandresidents.org 

805-964-7194

The WRA is currently scheduling this summers FireSafe work projects throughout the San Marcos Pass Communities. If you have some work in your area that needs to be done, please give the office a call at 964-7194. The WRA will also be supporting the Santa Barbara County Fire Fuels Crew on several local projects.

Please join our Facebook account for updated NOAA and related information. The account email address is  mswssi@verizon.net .

Custom WRA T-Shirts are now available to help support the WRA. Get yours today at the Paradise Store or call 964-4588.

Short sleeve: $15
Long sleeve:  $20

Ready! Prepare yourself, your family and your property.

Set!  Monitor fire weather / activity and prepare to evacuate.

Go!  Leave early when directed to by public safety officials.

Ready! Set! Go! is endorsed by the Santa Barbara County Fire Chief’s Association to provide a strategic approach and a specific action plan to aid local, state and federal fire agencies in providing one unified message. Ready! Set! Go! is endorsed by the California Emergency Management Agency and FIRESCOPE. 

Listen to Community Alert, October 6, 2009: Chief Michael Mingee, Carpinteria-Summerland FPD and Captain David Sadecki, PIO, Santa Barbara County FD talk about “Read, Set, Go” on behalf of the Santa Barbara County Fire Chief’s Association.    

Learn More About Ready! Set! Go!

 USFS

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY FIRE NICC REPORTS

Community Alert is a collaborative effort between the WRA and the Santa Barbara County Fire Safe Council. If you have any issues you would like to have discussed on the show, please Email us at community@wildlandresidents.org If you are interested in supporting Community Alert, please give us a call at 964-4735 for further information.

Positive Preparation for Disaster,
Not If, But When
KZSB-AM 1290, Santa Barbara News Press Radio.