Heat stroke.It’s serious business. It can be...

Heat stroke.

It’s serious business. It can be life-threatening. Those at greatest risk are infants and children up to 4 years old, seniors 65 and older and people who are overweight. Headache, high fever, dizziness, nausea, confusion, cramps and red, hot, dry skin can be symptoms of a severe heat-related problem. Call for medical assistance. In the meantime, cool off the victim as rapidly as possible--a cool shower, cold compresses. But do not give any medication to lower fever and do not use an alcohol rub, says the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

* Prevention of heat-related problems is what is needed. On really hot days, the CDC recommends drinking lots of liquids--water, fruit juices, sports drinks, sodas--but avoiding alcohol. It also advises staying indoors. If your home doesn’t have air conditioning, go someplace that does--such as a movie theater, a restaurant or a shopping mall. If you will be out in the sun, use sunscreen. But sunscreens should not be used on children under 6 months old.

* If you need to get up close and personal with something as cold as ice, go to an indoor ice skating rink. It’s not only a good place to cool off, but also to get some exercise without the risk of heat stroke. Iceon Ice Skating and Sports Center, 12385 San Fernando Road, Sylmar, (818) 833-8881. Iceoplex, 8345 Hayvenhurst Place, North Hills, (818) 893-1784. Pickwick Ice Skating, 1001 Riverside Drive, Burbank, (818) 846-0035. Van Nuys Iceland, 14318 Calvert St. (818) 785-2171.

* Hey, this is Southern California, you could always jump in the car and go to the beach. If you don’t have a car, the cities of Agoura Hills and Calabasas offer bus service Mondays through Saturdays to Zuma Beach and back. The Agoura Hills bus costs 50 cents each way, (818) 597-7361; Calabasas is $1 each way, (818) 880-6461. Call for schedule information.