Preparing for Extreme Heat

With summer upon us, many places around the country are already experiencing extreme heat, defined as a prolonged period where temperatures are above the average highs, often accompanied by high humidity. 

The 2024 summer forecast comes at what appears to be the tail end of El Niño, a natural climate phenomenon that is expected to be replaced by its equally impactful counterpart, La Niña. This switch from El Niño to La Niña will exacerbate global heating to generate hotter-than-average summer temperatures for most of North America.

In extreme heat, your body works extra hard to maintain a normal temperature, which can lead to sickness and even death. In fact, extreme heat is responsible for the highest number of annual deaths among all weather-related hazards. We can prepare ourselves and our communities for extreme heat that can help save lives. 

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Here are 8 ways to keep you and your loved ones safe and cool this summer:
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1. Check the forecast! Before making plans, check your local forecast to see if there’s an excessive heat advisory. An excessive heat warning is issued up to a day before extremely dangerous heat conditions start. 
2. Never leave pets or people in a car. Did you know when it’s only 80 degrees, your car’s interior can reach 118 degrees in just 20 minutes? Leaving anyone in a parked car on warm days is dangerous. Infants and children are especially in danger of getting a heat stroke or dying.  
3. Drink water! Keeping yourself and your pets consistently hydrated is important regardless of how active you are. Do not wait until you feel thirsty to drink water.  
4. Find air conditioning. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to a public place like a library or heat respite center. Even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat. Keep in mind while electric fans may provide comfort, when the temperature is in the high 90s they will not prevent heat-related illness.  
5. Dress appropriately and wear sunscreen. Sunburn affects your body’s ability to cool down and can make you dehydrated. If you must go outdoors, protect yourself from the sun by wearing loose, lightweight, light-colored clothes, including a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen 30 minutes prior to going outside during the day – and remember that sunscreen wears off, so be sure to reapply it every two hoursand after swimming, sweating, or toweling off.
6. Avoid strenuous activities. High heat and outdoor activities don’t always mix well. Try to limit your outdoor activity to when it’s coolest: morning and evening hours. Take frequent breaks in shaded areas so your body has a chance to recover.
7. Check on your family and friends. Older adults, children and people with chronic medical conditions are at high risk from heat related injury and death.
8. Learn to recognize the signs of the three main types of heat-related illness: heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
   

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> Be A Ready Congregation : https://bit.ly/ReadyCongrHEAT

> Low Income Energy Assistance Program : https://bit.ly/LowIncomeEAP

> Visit ready.gov for more information on how to be prepared for extreme heat.