Kern County Public Health wants people to take extra precautions to avoid heat stroke during this heatwave.

Public Health Officer Dr. Claudia Jonah says symptoms like thirst, tiredness and disorientation can sneak up on you because people continue exercising or doing manual labor before the body has time to adjust. People who are overheated should get in the shade, drink water, apply cool towels, and in some cases get to the hospital.

Jonah says untreated heat stroke can cause long-term brain and kidney damage as well as death. Three people died from it in Kern County in 2015.

Kelli Forsch