Online Outage ReportsPlan Ahead for Extreme Heat
Some family members may be taking medications or have medical conditions that may cause poor blood circulation or reduced ability to tolerate heat. Discuss these concerns with a physician.
Plan to check on family, friends, and neighbors who do not
have air conditioning or who spend much of their time alone.
Elderly persons who live alone or with a working relative might
need assistance on hot days.
Discuss extreme heat wave with your family. Everyone should know
what to do in the places where they spend time. Some places may
not be air conditioned or safe during a heat wave, so plan
alternatives. Discussing extreme heat ahead of time will help
reduce fear and anxiety, and lets everyone know how to respond.
What to Do During Extreme Heat To...Protect Yourself
Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. Reduce, eliminate or reschedule strenuous activities. High-risk individuals should stay in cool places. Get plenty of rest to allow your natural "cooling system" to work. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Avoid too much sunshine. Sunburn slows the skin's ability to cool itself. The sun will also heat the inner core of your body, resulting in dehydration. Use a sunscreen lotion with a high sun protection factor (SPF) rating.
Postpone outdoor games and activities. Extreme heat can threaten the health of athletes, staff, and spectators of outdoor games and activities.
Avoid extreme temperature changes. A cool shower immediately after coming in from hot temperatures can result in hypothermia, particularly for elderly and very young people.
Stay indoors as much as possible. If air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor, out of the sunshine. Even in the warmest weather, staying indoors, out of sunshine, is safer than long periods of exposure to the sun. Conserve electricity not needed to keep you cool. During periods of extreme heat, people tend to use a lot more power for air conditioning. Conserve electricity not used to keep you cool so power can remain available and reduce the chance of a community wide outage.
Vacuum air conditioner filters weekly during periods of high use. Air conditioner filters can become clogged or filled with dirt, making them less efficient. Keeping them clean will allow your air conditioner to provide more cool air.
If your home does not have air conditioning, go to a public building with air conditioning each day for several hours. Air conditioned locations are the safest places during extreme heat because electric fans do not cool the air. Fans do help sweat evaporate, which gives a cooling effect.
Dress appropriately: Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing that will cover as much skin as possible. Lightweight, light-colored clothing reflects heat and sunlight and helps maintain normal body temperature. Protect face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat. A hat will keep direct sunlight off your head and face. Sunlight can burn and warm the inner core of your body.
Drink plenty of water regularly and often even if you do not feel thirsty. Injury and death can occur from dehydration, which can happen quickly and unnoticed. Your body needs water to keep cool. Water is the safest liquid to drink during heat emergencies. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them.
Eat small meals and eat more often. Large, heavy meals are more difficult to digest and cause your body to increase internal heat to aid digestion, worsening overall conditions. Avoid foods that are high in protein, such as meats and nuts, which increase metabolic heat. Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.
Take frequent breaks if you must work outdoors. Frequent breaks, especially in a cool area or to drink fluids, can help people tolerate heat better.
NEVER leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles. Temperatures inside a closed vehicle can reach over 140 degrees F within minutes. Exposure to such high temperatures can kill in minutes.
Watch for Signals
Heat exhaustion: Cool, moist, pale, or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature may be normal, or is likely to be rising.
Heat stroke: Hot, red skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Body temperature can be very high -sometimes as high as 105 degrees F. If the person was sweating from heavy work or exercise, skin may be wet; otherwise, it will feel dry.
How to Treat a Heat Emergency
Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a life-threatening
situation. Help is needed fast. Call 9-1-1 or your local
emergency number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly
cool the body. Immerse victim in a cool bath, or wrap wet
sheets around the body and fan it. Watch for signals of
breathing problems. Keep the person lying down and continue
to cool the body any way you can. If the victim refuses
water, is vomiting, or there are changes in the level of
consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.
Heat exhaustion: Get the person out of the heat and
into a cooler place. Remove or loosen tight clothing and
apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. If the
person is conscious, give cool water to drink. Make sure the
person drinks slowly. Give a half glass of cool water every
15 minutes. Let the victim rest in a comfortable position,
and watch carefully for changes in his or her condition.
Plan to check on family, friends, and neighbors who do not
have air conditioning or who spend much of their time alone.
Elderly persons who live alone or with a working relative
might need assistance on hot days.
