Kevin Lanza, PhD, an assistant professor of environmental and occupational health sciences at UTHealth Houston, urges people to have a plan ready well before the hot weather comes on full blast.
Stay informed about weather conditions. Pay attention to weather forecasts, heat indexes (how hot it feels due to temperature and humidity), and heat advisories put out by the National Weather Service.
Dr. Lanza also suggests enabling weather alerts on your phone. The free Red Cross Emergency app provides real-time weather alerts in English and Spanish along with tips for staying safe. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration offers a heat safety tool app that warns if conditions are becoming hazardous.
Make sure you have plenty of water. “I think folks are chronically dehydrated — not getting enough water to begin with,” says Lanza. While other liquids besides water can help, he warns against any beverages containing caffeine or alcohol, which can make dehydration worse.
Check your AC. Air-conditioning is one of the best ways to stay safe in high temperatures, according to Lanza. Make sure your air-conditioning or fans are working properly.
Verify that you have supplies to keep medication cool and equipment charged. Extended periods of extreme heat can sometimes lead to power outages.
Identify cool public spaces in case of a heat emergency. Schools, libraries, malls, and recreation centers often provide cooling areas during extreme heat conditions.
Create a network of helpers. Family, friends, and neighbors may all be able to help in a heat emergency. Have their contact information readily available, especially if you are at greater risk of heat-related injury. “People who are socially connected have a higher likelihood of being protected during extreme weather,” says Lanza.
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