What to do in extreme heat: preventing heat stroke
Stay cool, drink plenty of fluids, check on others; know the signs of heat stroke.
Good to know
A forecast, not an official heat warning.
BeforeBefore a disaster
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Find places nearby where you can go to cool down, such as libraries or shopping centres.
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Do not rely on a fan as your main way to keep cool.
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Cover windows with curtains or shades to keep the heat out.
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Learn the signs of heat illness.
DuringDuring a disaster
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Never leave people or pets in a closed car on a warm day.
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Drink plenty of fluids. Wear loose, light, light-coloured clothing.
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Avoid hard work outdoors in the midday heat; find shade if you are outside.
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Check on family members, older adults and neighbours.
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A very high body temperature, hot red dry skin, a fast strong pulse, dizziness or confusion can mean heat stroke: get emergency help immediately.
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Take cool showers or baths and use the oven less.
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Give pets cool water and shade; hot pavement can burn their paws.
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Heat exhaustion: heavy sweating, paleness, cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or fainting. Move to a cooler place, loosen clothing and sip water; call a doctor if it gets worse or lasts more than an hour.
AfterAfter a disaster
The app's guide has no separate steps for this phase; see the official source below for details.
Official sources
Every step in this guide is based on one of these pages.
- Ready.gov (FEMA) Extreme Heat Page date: · Checked:
A short summary of the sources below, checked against them. Read a source for the full advice.
This guide works offline and summarises public official pages. It is not a live or official announcement; follow the authorities' instructions.