HOT Emergency Evacuate: Consider leaving if: The indoor temperature is 85 F – 90 F (39 C – 32 C) especially if overnight or with Humidity
These temperatures cause increased risk of dehydration and heat illness. People at high risk for elevated temperatures include babies or young children because they heat up faster and are dependent on adults for hydration and cooling. People with heart of lung conditions like diabetes or kidney disease. Come medications affect sweating, blood pressure or the body’s ability to regulate temperature. People with a cognitive impairment may not recognize they are becoming over heated. Drinking alcohol can worsen dehydration. Older adults, 65 and above, cannot adjust to high temperatures well. Older bodies may sweat less so cannot cool themselves efficiently. Increased heat puts extra stress on the heart and circulation and can be less efficient as age increases. Older adults may not feel thirst as strongly and can become dehydrated without realizing it. Monitor behaviors and body temperature with thermometer especially in very young and elderly.
Getting too hot can lead to several conditions ranging from mild to life threatening. If someone is too hot: Move the person to a cool place or at least in shade. Increase air circulation with any type of fanning. Remove extra clothing. Cool them with water (cool as possible but not cold water) spray them, sponge them or place wet towels on their skin. Place cool water on the neck, armpits, wrists, and groin area where top of legs bend. Have them sip cool water if able to do so safely.
*Heat Exhaustion Signs include:
Heavy Sweating Weakness Dizziness Headache Nausea Muscle Cramps
If symptoms don’t improve in 30 minutes with cooling and drinking fluids, OR if they get worse; call for medical help or 911 because can progress to Heat Stroke
*Heat Stroke Signs include: Confusion, cannot think clearly Fainting or loss of consciousness Skin or body very hot to the touch Severe headache or severe dizziness Vomiting May have little or NO Sweating but not always so don’t use sweating to rule out illness.
Emergency Medical Help is needed IMMEDIATELY :
If have a body temperature of 104 F or 40 C or higher If They become confused, disoriented or difficult to stay awake or wake up If Passes out or has a seizure If Has trouble talking or walking If STOPS sweating even though is still hot if have hot, red skin If Vomits repeatedly Call Local Emergency Services while keep trying to cool them.
Hot Threshold Evacuation Begin thinking of where you may go if you need to leave your home due to hot temperatures and HOW you will get there Safely. Maybe a nearby cooling center, other place or home that has power. 90 F (32 C) is considered dangerously hot and unsafe for people to stay inside and a severe risk of heat-related illness.
Decide NOW what temperature will trigger your relocation plan. ___temperature OR if power for cooling cannot be restored in ___ hours
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