Staying Cool:
At Home
On extreme heat days, it is recommended to stay indoors with access to air conditioning, whether that is your home or other cool space. Prepare ahead of time for hot days this summer, especially if air conditioning is not available in your home. See below for tips on heat safety in the home.
Stay cool, stay hydrated.
- Drink more water than usual, and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.
- Carry a water bottle. Drink and refill it throughout the day.
- Consider limiting beverages high in sugars and sodium, caffeine, and alcohol.
- Use a buddy system- check on a friend or neighbor, and have someone do the same for you.
- Take cool showers or baths.
- Don’t rely solely on fans to keep you cool. While electric fans might provide some comfort, when temperatures are really hot, they won’t prevent heat-related illness.
- Use your stove and oven less to maintain a cooler temperature in your home.
- Heat can cause power outages. Have a plan for what to do with refrigerated medications and electronic medical devices. Keep an ice-filled cooler stocked with food, water and medicine so that they don’t spoil.
- Cover windows with drapes or shades.
- Weather-strip doors and windows.
- Consider pet safety. If they are outside, make sure they have plenty of cool water and access to comfortable shade. Asphalt and dark pavement can be very hot to your pet’s feet.
- Use fans, but only if indoor temperatures are less than 90°F. In temperatures above 90°F, a fan can increase body temperature.
Spend time in air-conditioned places.
- Contact your local health department or locate an air-conditioned shelter in your area.
- Spend some time at a shopping mall or public library- even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help.
Outside
When spending time outdoors during periods of extreme heat, make sure to properly hydrate, seek shade, and wear appropriate clothing. It is recommended to limit strenuous activity during peak heat (typically 10AM-4PM) and take breaks in cooler areas. Make sure to look for signs of heat-related illness and seek medical help if needed. See below for tips on heat safety when outdoors.Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. Use a buddy system when working in extreme heat, and take frequent breaks.
- Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. Use a buddy system when working in extreme heat, and take frequent breaks.
- Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening.
- Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight, and light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays.
- Make sure to hydrate with water throughout the day, and avoid sugary beverages or drinks with caffeine which can affect your body’s ability to cool off.
- Check your urine color. When it’s light yellow or clear, it usually means you are drinking enough water.
- Eat well-balanced, light, and regular meals.
- Stay in the shade as much as possible.
- Never leave people or pets in a vehicle.
- Protect face and head by wearing sunblock and a wide-brimmed hat.
- Postpone outdoor games and activities.
- Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun.
- Make sure to recognize the signs of heat-related illness (above).
In The Workplace
People who work outdoors are more likely to become dehydrated and get heat-related illness. Make sure to take steps to protect your health on hot days. If you feel faint or weak, STOP all activity and get to a cool place. See below for tips on heat safety in the workplace.
If you have to work while it’s hot outside:
- Prevent heat illness with acclimatization.
- Drink plenty of water, and don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink.
- Avoid alcohol or liquids containing large amounts of sugar.
- Wear and reapply sunscreen as indicated on the package.
- Ask if tasks can be scheduled for earlier or later in the day to avoid midday heat.
- Wear a brimmed hat and loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
- Spend time in air-conditioned buildings during breaks and after work.
- Encourage co-workers to take breaks to cool off and drink water.
Hot Car Deaths
100% Preventable
Florida ranks second in the United States for child hot car deaths.
Child hot car deaths can happen to anyone. A child’s body temperature rises 3 to 5 times faster than an adult’s.
When a child is left in a vehicle, that child’s temperature can rise quickly–and the situation can quickly become dangerous.
Why children are vulnerable
Medical experts say it takes very little time for a vehicle to transform into a deadly environment. Temperatures inside a car can climb an astonishing 20 degrees in just 10 minutes, even if the windows are cracked.
According to pediatricians, children are uniquely vulnerable to these rapid temperature spikes.
"The main reason is that they just have a lower surface area," Dr. Genon Wicina, a pediatrician with Cleveland Clinic Martin Health, said. "They're not able to dissipate the heat nearly as much as an adult. But also, children get themselves in situations in cars where they don't know what to do to get them out of it. So, if they're feeling hot, they may just start feeling sleepy instead of saying, 'I need to open up the car door and get out.'"
Misconceptions and shifting routines
A common misconception is that hot car deaths only occur due to intentional neglect, but data tells a vastly different story. Amber Rollins, executive director of Kids and Car Safety, says that the vast majority of these incidents involve loving, attentive caregivers.
Data tracked by the organization shows that roughly 54% of hot car deaths happen when a child is unknowingly left behind by a responsible caregiver, often due to a change in daily routine. About 15% of cases involve children who were knowingly left in a vehicle, while approximately 25% occur when a child manages to sneak inside an unattended vehicle on their own and becomes trapped.
Medical and safety perspectives
What they're saying:
"Most of the time it's somebody who loved that child who was responsible for their death and had no idea it was happening," Rollins said. "It's incredibly frustrating that it still happens because we know that there are safety solutions out there that could prevent this."
Advocates point out that federal preventative measures have stalled. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) was mandated to issue a rule requiring the auto industry to equip all new vehicles with occupant detection technology to alert drivers to a child in the backseat. However, the agency has yet to finalize that.
Preventative back-seat routines
What you can do:
Because routines can change unexpectedly, experts urge families to build physical "fail safes" into their daily lives rather than relying purely on memory:
- Look before you lock: Get into the habit of opening the back door every single time you park.
- The backseat trick: Place an item in the backseat next to your child that you absolutely cannot leave without — such as your cell phone, purse, wallet, or even your left shoe.
- Lock the vehicle at home: Always lock your car doors when it is parked in the driveway or garage.
- Communicate with caregivers: If someone else is driving your child around, or if they are headed to daycare, check in occasionally to confirm they arrived safely. A quick text or phone call serves as a vital reminder for the driver.
- Teach children to honk the horn and/or turn on the hazard lights.
- Never leave a child or a pet in a car unattended, not even for a minute.