Six Ways to Stay Safe During the Heatwave

The current heatwave hovering over the United States is unprecedented, alarming, and dangerous. July 3rd-5th were the hottest days ever recorded, and numerous reports call July the hottest month in over 100,000 years. The forecast (as of 7/25/23) indicates the record-breaking heat could endure for weeks to come. According to the CDC’s Heat & Health Tracker, July alone has seen tens of thousands of heat-related illnesses. Endless headlines and social media posts about broken heat records are enough to make anyone anxious, but we can channel that anxiety into action. 

If you or your loved ones live in an area experiencing extreme heat, stay safe by planning ahead. We’ve put together some tips and tools to keep you ahead of the heat and out of danger. 

1. Get to Know Your Area

When summer heat and dry spells become the new norm, we may not notice the difference between a hot day and a dangerous day. Monitor your area’s weather and forecasts for extended or intense heat, and try to plan outdoor activities during cooler times ahead. The New York Times’ heat tracker is a great resource for this. Input your city or zip code to find out if there are heat spikes forecasted in your area so you can plan accordingly.

2. Watch For Heat-Related Health Issues & Symptoms

The terminology around extreme weather can be a little confusing, so to make it easier, the National Weather Service has a heat information page with a valuable array of information including warning signs of heat-related injuries, safety tips for dealing with the extreme temperatures, a heat index forecast, and much more. The American Red Cross has provided a list with more tips and suggestions on safe summer habits, and the CDC has a helpful breakdown of heat rash, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, and steps to take if you’re experiencing symptoms. 

3. Dealing With Heat Symptoms

What should you do if you find yourself in an emergency situation without water, shade, or air conditioning? Hydration, shade, and lowering body temperature are the top priorities in a heat emergency. Don’t hesitate to call 911 if you or a loved one experiences symptoms that can’t be brought under control. Take any action that can start to reduce body temperature immediately: take a cool or cold bath, apply a wet towel, or get an iced drink which can cool you from within. If you don’t have access to AC, visit the National Center for Healthy Housing or PG&E to find free cooling centers in your state. 

4. Create An Emergency Heat Kit 

Given the way the climate continues to evolve, it’s important for everyone to put together a heat wave emergency kit for themselves and their families. After all, Californians have emergency kits for earthquakes, and Floridians have emergency kits for hurricanes. Experts believe two-thirds of North Americans are at risk for blackouts due to high demand for electricity Create a heat kit in case you lose power and AC. Your kit should include bottled water, small and large towels (to use as a pillow, or for shade, or to dampen with water and then use to cool yourself down), a cooler, non-perishable food, batteries, etc. For a more complete list of heat kit components, check out the recommendations put together by the AARP here.  

5. Keep An Eye On Your Community

Many of us can look out for ourselves well enough during the heatwave, but what about the elderly, those with limited mobility, young children, or those without the resources to fully protect themselves? The AARP has another great set of recommendations for how to establish a support network at this link. Some tips include establishing a list of people to call and check in on, brainstorming how to get them access to AC (including driving them to a location with AC, or bringing them to your home). Remind the people on your list to hydrate and not over-exert during periods of extreme heat. Don’t forget that those on medications or with special needs may be at an even higher risk in the heat, so remind them to fill up on prescriptions as well as prepare their own emergency kits! Also, be particularly mindful about leaving people - or pets! - unattended in cars for any length of time. Make sure your furry friends have plenty of water and plenty of shade every day, especially during peak heat. 

6. Take Action 

Climate change has arrived and is predicted to get a lot worse if we don’t take strong action across all sectors of society. Extreme heat is one form of what our changed world looks like, but we will also experience more regular and frequent droughts, extended fire and hurricane seasons, and more turbulent, unpredictable winters. All of this will strain our systems, cause billions of dollars worth of damage, and lead to injuries and loss of life. These realities may make you feel overwhelmed and powerless. But you’re really not! Remember: the antidote to climate anxiety is climate action.

Project Drawdown has created a Table of Solutions to help you understand the largest contributors to climate change. Click through their tables to learn about changes we can make to our systems and our lifestyle, and the impact those changes can have. Some changes are large and exist only at the society-wide level (such as constructing onshore wind turbines and utility-scale solar energy systems). Nevertheless, there are a number of steps you can take to reduce your carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions. The biggest impact we can have at the personal level is transitioning to a plant-rich diet and eliminating food waste. Other examples include replacing light bulbs with energy-saving alternatives, weatherizing your home or apartment, using a toaster oven instead of your stove, and adjusting day-to-day behaviors. Check out this list from energysage.com for more ideas.  

And of course, one of the most powerful tools any of us have is our vote. After decades of political hemming and hawing on climate change, the government has finally begun to take significant action. Let’s celebrate this and make sure everybody knows it was their votes that created this progress. These first steps include investing in clean energy and green technologies, but it isn’t enough - yet! Urge your representatives to support climate action, and vote for candidates who prioritize this extremely urgent issue. Make sure your voter registration is up to date here. Stay safe and stay active this summer!