HEAT WARNING VS. WATCH
Excessive Heat Warning — Take Action! An Excessive Heat Warning is issued within 12 hours of the onset of extremely dangerous heat conditions. The general rule of thumb for this Warning is when the maximum heat index temperature is expected to be 105° or higher for at least 2 days and night time air temperatures will not drop below 75°; however, these criteria vary across the country, especially for areas not used to extreme heat conditions. If you don’t take precautions immediately when conditions are extreme, you may become seriously ill or even die.
Excessive Heat Watches — Be Prepared! Heat watches are issued when conditions are favorable for an excessive heat event in the next 24 to 72 hours. A Watch is used when the risk of a heat wave has increased but its occurrence and timing is still uncertain.
DURING A HEAT WAVE
Slow down: reduce, eliminate or reschedule strenuous activities until the coolest time of the day. Children, seniors and anyone with health problems should stay in the coolest available place, not necessarily indoors.
Dress for summer: Wear lightweight, loose fitting, light-colored clothing to reflect heat. 9 Eat light: Choose easy-to-digest foods such as fruit or salads.
Drink plenty of water
Use air conditioners: Spend time in air conditioned locations such as malls and libraries if your home isn’t air conditioned.
Use portable electric fans: Fans exhaust hot air from rooms or draw in cooler air. Do not direct the flow of portable electric fans toward yourself when room temperature is hotter
Minimize direct exposure to the sun. Sunburn reduces your body’s ability to dissipate heat.
Take a cool bath or shower
Be aware of infants, older, sick, or frail people and pets. Each year, dozens of children and untold numbers of pets left in parked vehicles die from hyperthermia. Never leave children, disabled adults or pets in a car.
