Extreme Heat at Home
Extreme heat kills more people in the U.S. than most other weather events. Older adults, young children, people with health conditions, and those without air conditioning are most at risk.
- Families
Stay cool
- Spend time in air conditioning. If you don’t have it, go to a library, mall or cooling center.
- Drink water regularly, even if you’re not thirsty. Limit alcohol and sugary drinks.
- Do outdoor chores early in the morning or in the evening.
- Wear light, loose clothing; take cool showers.
- Fans help, but in very high heat they may not prevent heat illness on their own.
Protect others
- Check on older relatives and neighbors at least twice a day during heat waves.
- Never leave children or pets in a parked car, even for a minute. Car interiors heat up dangerously fast.
- Give pets shade and plenty of water.
Heat stroke is an emergency: confusion, very high body temperature, hot skin, fainting or seizures. Call 911 and cool the person right away with cold water or ice. See Heat Illness Prevention.
Standards & references
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