Why Heat Safety Matters
High temperatures can lead to:
- Dehydration
- Heat exhaustion
- Heat stroke
Higher-risk groups include:
- Older adults
- Young children
- Pregnant women
- People with chronic health conditions
Protect Yourself Outdoors
- Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing
- Use sunscreen (SPF 30+)
- Wear a hat and sunglasses
- Take breaks in shade or air conditioning
- Know your local weather forecast
- Limit your outdoor activities during the hottest time of the day. This is between 10 AM – 4 PM
Extra Care for Older Adults
- Drink fluids regularly
- Stay in air-conditioned environments
- Check on neighbors and family
- Talk to a provider about medications affected by heat
Never leave children, older adults, or pets in parked cars — even briefly.
Heat Exhaustion
Head exhaustion happens when your body loses too much water and salt usually from excessive sweating in hot weather. If not treated promptly, it can lead to heat stroke, a life-threatening emergency.
Symptoms
- Heavy sweating
- Dizziness/lightheadedness
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Muscle cramps
- Fatigue
- Thirst
What to do:
- Move to a cool place
- Cool down with cold compresses/ or wash head face neck
- Drink cold liquids, such as water or sports drink
- Rest and loosen clothing
- Seek medical help if symptoms worsen or persist
Heat Stroke (Call 911 Immediately)
- Very high body temperature
- Confusion or altered mental state
- Loss of consciousness
- Hot, red skin (dry or sweating)
- Seizures
Resources
- CDC Heat & Health: cdc.gov/heat-health
- National Weather Service: weather.gov/safety/heat