Extreme Heat
Learn more about extreme heat, what to do and how to stay safe.
Your Impact
Action Steps & Tips
Introduction
In this action, we’ll look at important things to know about extreme heat, how to plan for it and lower your risks, and what to do during and after the heat wave so that you and your loved ones can be prepared!
How to do this action:
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Read this action with your family or housemates to learn about Extreme Heat hazards as part of the Make a Plan action!
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Add any items as needed to your Plan, Kit and Household Prep actions.
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Print out the FEMA Extreme Heat Information Sheet PDF and the CDC Heat Risk Flyer and keep them with your kit.
1Step 1: Learn About Extreme Heat
What exactly is extreme heat? The basic definition of extreme heat is 2-3 days or more of temperatures 90°F or higher. However, extreme heat depends on both the temperature and the humidity. In many parts of the country, especially the South and Eastern regions, high humidity often accompanies these high temperatures, which can make it feel even hotter. For example, 92 degrees and high humidity in Boston is closer in impact to 100 degrees in low humidity in Phoenix. If the humidity is high, you need to be extra careful to take steps to be safe. A heat index actually combines the two into one measure to make it easier to see the impact. You can learn more about the heat index here.
Who and what areas are most affected by extreme heat? Older adults, children, and people with pre-existing conditions are at greater risk from severe heat. Minority and lower income communities are often more at risk, because these neighborhoods tend to have less tree cover and vegetation and higher density, which leads to temperatures up to 7°F warmer. Urban areas in general are also more at risk for the same reasons - more concrete and less trees and vegetation. That’s where the term “heat islands'' comes from. Structures such as buildings, roads and other infrastructure absorb more heat than natural landscapes. That’s why it’s so important to create resilient communities for all of our neighbors, with cooling centers and resources for everyone to stay safe.
2Step 2: Add to your Emergency Preparedness Kit and Plan
Add these items to your Kit for Extreme Heat preparedness:
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Sunscreen and a hat. For sunscreen, SPF 50+ is recommended. Also make sure you have loose, lightweight and light-colored clothing to wear during an extreme heat event.
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Extra water reserves
Add these steps to your Plan for Extreme Heat preparedness:
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Learn about the signs of heat-related illness and what to do. If you or anyone in your household are sick or show symptoms of extreme heat, call your doctor, or 911 in an emergency. Here are the main heat-related illnesses and what to do:
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Heat cramps can occur during exercise or other physical activity, and can cause muscle pain or spasms or heavy sweating.
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What to do: Stop the activity, move to a cool, shaded spot, and drink water. Don’t resume activity until all those symptoms have gone away, and do get medical help if they get worse or last more than an hour.
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Heat exhaustion can cause a variety of symptoms, including: heavy sweating, clammy skin, muscle cramps, weakness, fast or weak pulse, dizziness or fainting, headache, and nausea or vomiting.
- What to do: Move to a cool spot and sip water. Loosen your clothing and use a cool towel or take a cool shower. Call your doctor if you start vomiting or if it lasts more than an hour.
- Heat stroke is characterized by a very high body temperature (103°F or higher), hot, red, dry or damp skin, a rapid pulse, confusion, dizziness, or nausea
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What to do: Heat stroke is very dangerous, so if you suspect heat stroke, call 911 or get to an emergency room immediately. Cool the body with cool cloths, loosening or removing clothing, and moving to a cooler spot. Don’t give the person liquids, though - wait for a medical professional.
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You can print this useful pdf from the CDC on heat-related illnesses and add it to your kit.
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Find your cooling centers: Another very important step to add to your plan is information on local cooling centers that are open in the event the power goes out and your air conditioner is not working or you are unable to stay cool at home.
3Step 3: Add to your household prep plans
If you live in an area prone to extreme heat, there are many ways you can prepare your home to help you stay cool! For things that require significant home modifications, consult with a contractor who has specific experience with the project.
Add these steps to your household prep plan:
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Have reliable air conditioning, via central air, window air conditioning units with insulation around them, or a portable air conditioning unit.
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Add extra insulation to your walls, to keep the heat out.
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Weather-strip your doors and windows.
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Put up high efficiency insulating drapes to help block heat.
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Install a powered attic ventilator or attic fan. These clear hot air out of your attic and help lower the heat level of your home.
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Use reflective window film covers specifically designed to reflect heat back outside. Side benefit - they also keep your home warm in cold weather and reduce energy costs!
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Plant trees! Trees provide shade to your home, helping to keep it cooler. Neighborhoods with more trees and green spaces are also a few degrees cooler during warm weather. Choose native plants whenever possible, as they’ll need less water and thrive better in your local climate. Trees also breathe in carbon dioxide and help with climate change!
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Go big: install a cool roof or green cool roof! Cool roofs are made of light colored materials that reflect more sun and so they stay cooler. Green roofs are those constructed to have hardy, perennial plants growing on them - they also help reduce and filter stormwater runoff! Both can help reduce the temperatures of your roof surface and the surrounding air, acting as insulators - so they’ll help reduce your energy costs, too!
4Step 4: Learn what to do during extreme heat
Sometimes it can be easy to forget that extreme heat is a hazard just like an extreme storm! Take the following steps to stay safe and healthy:
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Stay hydrated, even when you don’t feel thirsty! Caffeine and alcohol both dehydrate the body, so replace those with cool water or lemonade!
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Take cool baths or showers.
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Wear loose, light-weight clothing
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Wear a lightweight wide brimmed hat (at least 3 inches) that allows for air circulation, or carry a sun umbrella when outdoors, to keep the sun off of your head.
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Wear sunscreen outdoors, even if you’re only out for a short time. Sunburns raise your body temperature, which will make you even hotter.
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Look at what activities and plans you can change to minimize your time outdoors. If you must be outside, try to plan for the early morning or late afternoon/evening. Whenever possible, stand or sit (and park your car) in the shade.
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If you have to work outdoors, make sure your employer follows appropriate precautions. OSHA has an app to help workers see the risk level for local conditions and steps to protect themselves.
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Stay cool with air conditioning, not fans! Don’t try to cool yourself with electric fans at temperatures above 95 degrees. They will make you feel cooler by evaporating sweat, but will not lower your internal body temperature, and can actually increase it by blowing hot, dry air on the body.
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Close all drapes or shades early in the morning before it gets too hot. This will help keep the heat out and your house cooler during the day. Open them at night to let the cool air in if the outdoor air temperature cools down.
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Don’t use the stove or oven which can significantly increase heat in your home.
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Never leave children or pets in a car on a warm day. The inside car temperature can reach 140℉ within minutes, and lowering the windows provides almost no relief.
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Pet safety: If it’s too hot for you outside, it’s too hot for your pet! Bring animals inside when it’s hot and make sure they have plenty of water and shade.
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Asphalt and pavement can burn their feet, so avoid walking pets on this material. Carry them from the car to the house, or if they must walk on these surfaces, invest in booties to protect their paws.
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When the outside air temp is just 77℉, asphalt can reach 125℉ in the sun. At 95℉, asphalt can reach 145℉.
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Watch for signs of heat-related illness (see Step 3 above)
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Go to a cooling center: If you aren’t able to stay cool in your home, go to a cooling shelter: Search online “cooling shelter” and your city name. Malls, libraries, and community centers are also places you can go.
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Check on family, friends, and neighbors during hot days and make sure they have access to an air conditioned place or cooling center.
5Step 5: Learn what to do right after extreme heat
Once the hot weather has passed, check in again with neighbors and friends. Restock any supplies you used, and take advantage of the cooler weather by doing some of the outdoor activities you avoided during the heat.