Excessive Heat Events Guidebook in Brief

Use air conditioners or spend time in air-conditioned locations such as malls and libraries
Use portable electric fans to exhaust hot air from rooms or draw in cooler air
Take a cool bath or shower
Minimize direct exposure to the sun
Stay hydrated – regularly drink water or other nonalcoholic fluids
Eat light, cool, easy-to-digest foods such as fruit or salads
Wear loose fitting, light-colored clothes
Check on older, sick, or frail people who may need help responding to the heat
Know the symptoms of excessive heat exposure and the appropriate responses.

Don’t

Direct the flow of portable electric fans toward yourself when room temperature is hotter than 90°f
Leave children and pets alone in cars for any amount of time
Drink alcohol to try to stay cool
Eat heavy, hot, or hard-to-digest foods
Wear heavy, dark clothing.

Send a clear public message

Communicate that EHEs are dangerous and conditions can be life-threatening. In the event of conflicting environmental safety recommendations, emphasize that health protection should be the first priority.

Inform the public of anticipated EHE conditions

When will EHE conditions be dangerous?
How long will EHE conditions last?
How hot will it FEEL at specific times during the day (e.g., 8 a.m., 12 p.m., 4 p.m., 8 p.m.)?

Assist those at greatest risk

Assess locations with vulnerable populations, such as nursing homes and public housing
Staff additional emergency medical personnel to address the anticipated increase in demand
Shift/expand homeless intervention services to cover daytime hours
Open cooling centers to offer relief for people without air conditioning and urge the public to use them.

Provide access to additional sources of information

Provide toll-free numbers and Web site addresses for heat exposure symptoms and responses
Open hotlines to report concerns about individuals who may be at risk
Coordinate broadcasts of EHE response information in newspapers and on television and radio.