How to Survive Extreme HeatThe dangers of extreme heat are very real. Extreme heat can be deadly if you don't respond properly to life-threatening conditions.
Prepare Your Home to Protect Your FamilyThere are steps you can take to make your home a better place to stay during the hottest temperature:
- Install window air conditioners snugly; insulate if needed.
- Check air conditioning ducts for proper insulation.
- Install temporary window reflectors for use between windows and drapes, such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard, to reflect heat back outside.
- Weather-strip doors and sills to keep cool air in.
- Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, awnings, or louvers. Outdoor awnings or louvers can reduce the heat that enters a home by up to 80 percent.
- Keep storm windows up all year.
During a Heat EmergencyHere are some guidelines of how to best handle extremely hot weather:
- Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun.
- Stay on the lowest floor out of the sun if air conditioning is not available.
- Spend the warmest part of the day in public buildings (libraries, schools, malls, etc.).
- Eat well-balanced, light, and regular meals and avoid salt tablets (unless directed).
- Drink plenty of water. Consult your doctor if you have medical fluid retention problems.
- Limit your intake of alcoholic beverages; they raise your body temperature.
- Dress in baggy, lightweight, and light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible.
- Protect your face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
- Check on family, friends, and neighbors who are alone and do not have air conditioning.
- Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles.
- Avoid hard physical work during the warmest part of the day. Use a buddy system and take frequent breaks.
Watch for Heat-Related Illnesses
| Condition |
Symptoms |
First Aid Response |
| Severe Sunburn |
� Skin redness
� Pain
� Possible swelling
� Blisters
� Fever
� Headaches |
� Take a shower
� Use soap to clean skin
� Apply dry, sterile dressing
� Seek medical attention |
| Heat Cramps |
� Painful spasms
(in legs or
abdomen)
� Heavy sweating |
� Move to cooler location
� Gently stretch muscles to
relieve spasms
� Sips of cool water every
15 minutes
� No caffeine, no alcohol
� Discontinue liquids if
nauseated |
| Heat Exhaustion |
� Heavy sweating
� May be cool,
pale, flushed or
have normal body
temperature
� Fainting, dizziness
� Exhaustion
� Headaches |
� Lie down
� Loosen or remove clothing
� Apply cool, wet clothes or towels
� Fan or seek air conditioning
� Give sips of water if awake
� Sips of cool water every
15 minutes
� Discontinue liquids if nauseated
� Seek immediate medical
attention if vomiting begins |
| Heat Stroke |
� Temperature of
105+
� Hot, red, dry skin
� Rapid, weak pulse
� No or stop sweating
� Possibly
unconscious |
� Danger! Call 9-1-1
� Move to cooler location
� Remove clothing
� Cool bath, sponging or
cover in a cool, wet sheet
� Watch breathing
� Use extreme caution
� Use fans and air conditioners |
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