Heat Safety Tips

Heat is one of the leading weather-related killers in the United States, resulting in hundreds of fatalities each year.  Heat can be very taxing on the body.  Everyone an be vulnerable to heat, but some more then others.  The following groups are particularly vulnerable to heat: 

  • Young children and infants are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness and death, as their bodies are less able to adapt to heat than are adults. 
  • Older adults, particularly those with preexisting diseases, take certain medications, are living alone or with limited mobility who are exposed to extreme heat can experience multiple adverse effects.
  • People with chronic medical conditions are more likely to have a serious health problem during a heat wave than healthy people.
  • Pregnant women are also at higher risk. Extreme heat events have been associated with adverse birth outcomes such as low birth weight, preterm birth, and infant mortality, as well as congenital cataracts

 It is NEVER safe to leave a child, disabled person or pet locked in a car, even in the winter.  If you have a toddler in your household, lock your cars, even in your own driveway.  Kids play in cars or wander outside and get into a car and can die in 10 minutes.  A reported 24 children died in hot cars in 2020.

Stay Cool

  • Wear appropriate light weight clothing
  • Stay cool indoors
  • Schedule outdoor activities carefully
  • Pace yourself, cut down on exercise during the heat
  • Wear sunscreen and look for sunscreens that say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB”
  • DO NOT LEAVE CHILDREN, ADULTS OR PETS in cars
  • Avoid hot and heavy meals

Stay Hydrated

  • Drink plenty of fluids that are not very sugary and alcoholic drinks
  • Keep your pets hydrated

Stay Informed