Extreme Heat Safety
Climate change is making extreme heat more frequent, severe and longer-lasting. Extreme heat describes temperatures that are much hotter than average. Summer heat waves can be dangerous, especially for young children, older adults, people with chronic diseases and disabilities, outdoor workers, people who are unhoused and those who are pregnant. It’s important to protect yourself and your loved ones by checking in on friends and family who may need assistance, monitoring weather forecasts, staying hydrated, limiting time in the heat and staying in or visiting cool spaces.
Follow these tips for staying cool during extreme heat:
Stay Cool (Especially During the Hottest Times of the Day):
- Those without air conditioning should visit a
local cooling center or public locations such as a library or shopping mall.
- Avoid physical exertion or exercising outdoors.
- Wear lightweight, light colored, loose clothing, hats, sunglasses and sunscreen.
Stay Hydrated:
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, even when not thirsty; drink low-sugar sports drinks (alternating with water) to help replace electrolytes lost if engaging in vigorous exercise.
- Avoid sugary, alcoholic and energy drinks.
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Stay Connected:
- Check in on those at high risk of heat-related illness.
- Use a buddy system when working in the heat.
Stay Informed:
- Check the local news for weather forecasts, extreme heat alerts, and cooling centers.
- Look up the 7-day
“HeatRisk” forecast to plan ahead and prepare for heat
Heat-related illnesses are preventable. Use this toolkit to inform your community about heat and summer safety. For more related messaging, visit our Summer & Warm Weather Safety Toolkit, Drowning Prevention Toolkit and
Wildfire Safety Toolkit.
Additional Resources
CDPH Material Co-brand Disclaimer
Local health jurisdictions (LHJs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) may co-brand materials created by CDPH (those in
CDPH Office of Communications Toolkits
) by adding their agency logo next to or near the CDPH logo. Be sure there is ample space between the two logos. Materials may not be altered or edited in any other way, including removal or adjustment of the CDPH logo.
Videos
Summer Heat Safety Message from CDPH (Full - 2:05)
Social Media Messaging
Share the following images and messages on social media.
Click on each image to enlarge, then right click and “save as.”
Suggested Messaging:
[Your county] is expecting excessive heat from
[dates].
Take precautions:
- Hydrate with water.
- If possible, stay in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible.
- If you must go outside, find shade wear sunscreen, and take breaks.
- Never leave children or animals in unattended parked cars.
To learn more about staying safe during a heatwave, visit:
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/BI_Natural-Disasters_Extreme-Heat_Tips-for-Preventing-Heat-Related-Illness.aspx
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Suggested Messaging: California Independent System Operator (ISO) issued a statewide #FlexAlert for [Insert Date Here], from [Insert TimeHere]. Hot weather means a higher demand for energy. Flex Alerts ask consumers to voluntarily conserve energy around their homes to safeguard the state’s energy supply, so power is not lost. Learn more at: http://flexalert.org |
Extreme heat can lead to serious medical emergencies, like heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Prevent heat-related illness by staying:
- In cool or air-conditioned places
- Hydrated
- Connected with others, especially family and friends
- Informed on the latest heat emergencies
Learn how to help someone with heat-related illness:
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/BI_Natural-Disasters_Extreme-Heat_Tips-for-Treating-Heat-Related-Illness.aspx