Heat Wave Safety & Resources
June 29, 2021Stay safe in the heat and look out for elderly neighbors and loved ones. Some tips and resources below, including where to find cooling centers and how to look out for heat stroke.
For the full statewide list of Cooling Centers click here.
Once the results populate, you can enter your zip code or a city/town, and hit Enter to narrow the results.
For a statewide list of Swimming Facilities, click here.
How to Recognize and Treat Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke, click here.
More Tips from the American Red Cross:
- Don’t use an electric fan when the indoor air temperature is over 95°F. Using a fan can be more harmful than helpful when indoor air temperatures are hotter than your body temperature. Fan use may cause your body to gain heat instead of losing it. Focus on staying hydrated, taking a cool shower or bath to cool your body, shutting out the sun and heat with curtains, and moving to an airconditioned place to cool off.
- Use your stove and oven less.
- Drink plenty of fluids: Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Avoid sugary, caffeinated or alcoholic drinks. Avoid icy beverages because they can cause stomach cramps.
- Replace salt and minerals: Heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from your body that need to be replaced. A sports drink or a snack can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat.
- Keep pets hydrated: Provide plenty of fresh water for your pets and leave the water in a shady area.
- Warning: If your doctor limits the amount of water you drink or has you on water pills, ask how much you should drink while the weather is hot. If you are on a low-salt diet, have diabetes, high blood pressure, or other chronic conditions, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage.
- Check-in on older adults and individuals with chronic health conditions at least twice daily. When visiting, ask yourself these questions:
- Are they drinking enough water?
- Do they have access to air conditioning?
- Do they know how to keep cool?
- Do they show any signs of heat stress?
- Be on the lookout for signs of heat-related illness. Act right away if you notice someone with symptoms.
- If someone is showing signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke seek emergency medical care immediately.