Extreme heat is a grave public health threat. The Fresno County Department of Public Health (FCDPH) monitors unusual spikes in emergency room visits through syndromic surveillance. This summer, heat related illnesses triggered several syndromic surveillance warnings. Although the very young and very old are most vulnerable to extreme heat, those who must be outside are also at increased risk. Those participating in outdoor sports, such as football are at particular risk, both because of the time of year when training and games are scheduled, as well as the heavy equipment worn. Fatalities in high school and college football players - PubMed (nih.gov)
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recently released a comprehensive set of recommendations to keep school-age youth safe during extreme heat CDPH Schools guidance for sports and strenuous activities during extreme heat. CDPH has common sense recommendations for youth who are outside while participating in sports training or competitions including:
- Stay in an air-conditioned indoor location as much as you can.
- Assess your hydration and be aware of your individual hydration needs (urine color, body mass changes, thirst).*
- Schedule outdoor activities carefully.
- Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing and sunscreen.
- Pace yourself.
- Take cool showers or baths to cool down.
- Check on other participants or teammates and have someone do the same for you.
The CDPH Extreme Heat Guidance also calls for use of the National Weather Service (NWS) Heat Risk map to guide decisions about sports participation during extreme heat. To find the NWS Heat Risk forecast for Fresno for the coming week click here: NWS HeatRisk (noaa.gov)
CDPH offers specific recommendations that FCDPH endorses, when the NWS Heat Risk is “Major” or “Extreme”:
When the HeatRisk level is forecast to be "Extreme" (Magenta / Level 4):
- Cancel all outdoor and unconditioned indoor activities A
- And, if feasible reschedule all outdoor activities and unconditioned indoor activities to a different day when the HeatRisk level is no longer "Extreme" (Magenta / Level 4) or "Major" (Red / Level 3)
- Or move to alternative activities in an air-conditioned or cooled indoor environment
When the HeatRisk level is forecast to be "Major" (Red / Level 3):
- Cancel all outdoor and unconditioned indoor activities during the heat of the day (usually 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
- And, if feasible reschedule all outdoor activities and unconditioned indoor activities to a cool time of the day if there is one (for example, very early morning)
- Or reschedule all outdoor activities and unconditioned indoor activities to a different day when the Heat Risk level is no longer "Extreme" (Magenta / Level 4) or "Major" (Red / Level 3)
- Or move to alternative activities in an air-conditioned or cooled indoor environment
FCDPH works closely with and communicates regularly with the Fresno County Superintendents of Schools and the California Interscholastic Federation Central Section on a range of issues including these extreme heat recommendations. Decisions regarding school activities are made by individual school districts. To protect the health and safety of our youth, FCDPH strongly recommends that all school districts in Fresno County adopt the CDPH Health Guidance for Schools on Sports and Strenuous Activities During Extreme Heat.