Staying Safe During Excessive Heat
During an Excessive Heat Warning
- 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. View list of cooler parks with shade.
- Wear a hat wide enough to protect your face.
- Wear loose, lightweight, lightcolored 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.
Know the Signs and Ways to Treat Heat-related Illness
Heat Cramps
Signs: Muscle pains or spasms in the stomach, arms, or legs.
Actions:
- Go to a cooler location.
- Remove excess clothing.
- Take sips of cool sports drinks with salt and sugar.
- Get medical help if cramps last more than an hour.
Heat Exhaustion
Signs: Heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, and fainting.
Actions:
- Go to an air-conditioned place and lie down.
- Loosen or remove clothing.
- Take a cool bath.
- Take sips of cool sports drinks with salt and sugar.
- Get medical help if symptoms get worse or last more than an hour.
Heat Stroke
Signs: Extremely high body temperature (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 person to a hospital immediately.
- Cool down with whatever methods are available until medical help arrives.
Outdoor Activities
- Slow down. Reduce, eliminate or reschedule strenuous activities until the coolest time of the day. Those particularly vulnerable to heat such as children, infants, older adults (especially those who have preexisting diseases, take certain medications, living alone or with limited mobility), those with chronic medical conditions, and pregnant women should stay in the coolest available place, not necessarily indoors.
- Dress for summer. Wear lightweight, loose fitting, light-colored clothing to reflect heat and sunlight.
- Minimize direct exposure to the sun. Sunburn reduces your body's ability to dissipate heat.
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Links
For the latest forecast updates, visit weather.gov/bayarea
Ready for Extreme Heat Info Sheet (PDF)
For advice on staying safe in extreme heat, visit: