Extreme Heat

It’s a hot one! High temperatures can cause sickness and even death. Find out what you can do to protect yourself during extreme heat. Knowing the warning signs and the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke can help prevent injury and death.
Click here for Heat Safety tips
If you need a space to cool off, visit or contact one of the locations below. 

During a Heat Wave: (Click for a PDF with more info) Follow these tips to stay safe & cool.

• Slow down: Reduce, eliminate or reschedule strenuous activities until the coolest time of the day. Children, seniors and anyone with health concerns should stay in the coolest available place, not necessarily indoors.
• Dress for summer: Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing to reflect heat. 9Eat light: Choose easy-to-digest foods such as fruit or salads. If you pack food, put it in a cooler or carry an ice pack. Meats and dairy products can spoil quickly in hot weather.
• Drink plenty of water (not very cold): Focus on non-alcoholic and decaffeinated fluids. Drink water even if you don’t feel thirsty. If you’re on a fluid-restrictive diet or have a problem with fluid retention, consult a physician before increasing consumption of fluids.
• Use air conditioners: Spend time in air-conditioned locations such as malls and libraries if your home isn’t air conditioned.
• Use portable electric fans: Fans exhaust hot air from rooms or draw in cooler air. Do not direct the flow of portable electric fans toward yourself when room temperatures are hotter than 90°F. The dry blowing air will dehydrate you faster, endangering your health.
• Minimize direct exposure to the sun. Sunburn reduces your body’s ability to dissipate heat. Take a cool bath or shower.
• Do not take salt tablets: Only take salt tablets if recommended by a physician.
• Be aware of infants, older, sick or frail people and pets. Never leave children, disabled adults or pets in a car.

 Stay Cool: Make sure to keep cool to avoid heat-related illnesses. Ways to stay cool:

• Stay in air-conditioned buildings.
• Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device.
• Limit outdoor activity, especially midday when it is the hottest part of the day, and avoid direct sunlight.
• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Take cool showers or baths to lower your body temperature.
• Check on at-risk friends, family and neighbors at least twice a day.
• Never leave children or pets in vehicles.

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE AIR CONDITIONING AND NEED SOMEWHERE TO COOL OFF, VISIT OR CONTACT A COOLING CENTER BELOW. *Operating hours of locations may vary*

Stay Informed: Stay up to date on local weather forecasts. Plan your activities when it’s hot outside with safety in mind.

Ways to keep informed:

• Check your local news for extreme heat warnings and safety tips.
• Keep your friends, family and neighbors aware of weather and heat safety information.

Extreme Heat Resources

Heat Safety Tips & Resources: https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat

Heat Illness Information: https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat-illness

Extreme Heat Information:  https://www.cdc.gov/extreme-heat/about/index.html

Heat Forecasts:  http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/heat/ww.shtml

Stay Hydrated: Your body loses fluid when you sweat, you can become dehydrated during times of extreme heat.

Ways to stay hydrated:

• Drink more than usual and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.
• Drink from two to four cups of water every hour while working or exercising outside.
• Avoid alcohol or liquids containing high amounts of sugar.
• Make sure your family, friends and neighbors are drinking enough waterStay informed
• Check your local news for extreme heat warnings and safety tips.
• Visit www.defiancecohealth.org to find local information and tips for preventing heat sickness.
• Keep your friends, family and neighbors aware of weather and heat safety information.