Be Prepared for Extreme Heat

Extreme heat often results in the highest annual number of deaths among all weather-related disasters.

IF YOU ARE UNDER AN EXTREME HEAT WARNING:

• Find Air conditioning, if possible.
• Check on family members and neighbors.
• avoid strenuous activities.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• watch for heat illness.
• Watch for heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
• Wear light clothing.
• Never leave people or pets in a closed car.

How to Stay Safe When Extreme Heat Threatens

Prepare Now!

Find places in your community where you can go to get cool.
Try to keep your home cool:

• Cover windows with drapes or shades.
• Weather-strip doors and windows.
• Use window reflectors such as aluminum foil-covered card board to reflect heat back outside.
• Add insulation to keep the heat out.
• Use a powered attic ventilator, or attic fan, to regulate the heat level of a building’s attic by clearing hot air.
• Install window air conditioners and insulate around them.

Learn to recognize the signs of heat illness. For more information visit: www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/warning.html.

Be Safe During!

Never leave a child, adult, or animal alone inside a vehicle on a warm day.
Find places with air conditioning. Libraries, shopping malls, and community centers can provide a cool place to take a break from the heat.
If you’re outside, find shade. Wear a hat wide enough to protect your face.
Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. If you or someone you care for is on a special diet, ask a doctor what would be best.
Do not use electric fans when the temperature outside is more than 95 degrees. You could increase the risk of heat-related illness. Fans create air flow and a false sense of comfort, but do not reduce body temperature.
Avoid high-energy activities.
Check yourself, family members, and neighbors for signs of heat-related illness.

Recognize and Respond!

Know the signs and ways to treat heat-related illness.

Heat Cramps

• Signs: Muscle pains or spasms inthe stomach, arms, or legs.
• Actions: Go to a cooler location.Remove excess clothing. Take sipsof cool sports drinks with salt andsugar. Get medical help if crampslast more than an hour.

Heat Exhaustion

• Signs: Heavy sweating, paleness,muscle cramps, tiredness,weakness, dizziness, headache,nausea or vomiting, fainting.
• Actions: Go to an air-conditionedplace and lie down. Loosen orremove clothing. Take a cool bath.Take sips of cool sports drinks withsalt and sugar. Get medical help ifsymptoms get worse or last morethan an hour.

Heat Stroke

• Signs: Extremely high bodytemperature (above 103 degrees)indicated by an oral thermometer;red, hot, and dry skin with no sweat;rapid, strong pulse; dizziness;confusion; and unconsciousness.
• Actions: Call 9-1-1 or get the personto a hospital immediately. Cooldown with whatever methods areavailable until medical help arrives

Take an Active Role in your Safety

Go to Ready.gov/heat.

Download the FEMA app

to get more information about

preparing for extreme heat.