Prepare for HOT Weather Power Outage ** See Basic Checklist for 72 hour for extra water amounts, food, light, sanitation, etc.
Small steps with insulating can make a difference with maintaining cooler temperatures in your home. Weather stripping and caulk around doors and windows can hep reduce warm air getting into your home. Check windows that open for screens to prevent insects from entering home.
When power goes out, NOTE the TIME in phone. Important for food spoilage timelines or rationing of supplies that may be needed due to accidental spills/waste or extended outage of power. *Also note last time any doses of medications were taken by people or pets to set a reminder or alarm in phone to not miss next or any upcoming doses.
Hot weather means keeping your body cool and avoid dehydration. Your body cools itself by sweating. If the humidity is high, the sweat cannot evaporate. This is why air movement is critical in helping to remove moisture from your skin and keeping body temperature in normal range. Have Extra water, Electrolyte Drinks or Packets to replace salt and minerals from increased sweating to stay hydrated.
Wear Light clothing, tank tops, cotton material, t-shirts, shorts, loose and comfortable fitting. Have a Hat with a wide brim, Bandana’s or cloths to wet and wear around neck especially if moving around in the sun.
Designate a “supply” area outside (shelf snacks, spare clothing, fans, water in a cooler or shade) where items can be easily grabbed without need to go in and out of home if is cooler inside home. Unless your beverage cooler was sitting in full sunlight, it can still help in keeping items to not warm as fast by keeping lid closed. i.e. unopened bottles of water.
Prepare to Make A Cooling Room: Make a room as cool as possible at night for better rest. Choose a small room that is interior to home preferable with higher ceiling and downstairs due to heat rises. IS this room big enough to for all people or pets to be in at one time like for sleeping at night? Will you be able to remove unnecessary items for more space for people and better air flow? Is there storage area for water, snacks and other essentials to prevent opening door as often and letting cool air escape?
Make sure in the room you choose, you are able to Close the door and block warm air from coming in under the door with a towel or blanket. Are you able to close all blinds, curtains or shades to prevent sunlight and heat from the windows? Can you access walls to unplug all TV’s, lamps and electronics if power surges and they create heat if using battery power station to operate.
Do you have a way to increase Air circulation whether by a rechargeable battery operated fan or using hand-held fans made of paper, a piece of cardboard or paper plate that can help with evaporation and cooling? Is there dedicated fans available to use in this room especially at night?
It may be Cooler outside under shade especially if a breeze. Where will it be shaded outside? As the sun moves during the day, you may need different areas to stay cooler meaning you have to move tarp, tent, umbrella, ropes, etc. that make the shade. To prevent having to “chase the shade”, have supplies for different areas you may be able make shade at different times based on the location of the sun.
How can you make shade? Practice and see what items you may need to buy such as: tarps, strong tape, zip ties, belts, rope, broom handles, trees, posts, to hold and stabilize a umbrella, tent, tarp, sheet, blanket, etc. Gather your items and store in a easy to reach place like in a 5 gallon bucket with a lid, trash can with lid or home good storage bins.
Seating – indoor and outdoors; folding chairs, lawn chairs, stools, coolers, buckets – arranged to allow air to circulate.
IF it is cooler temperature outside, maybe after dark, and a breeze; open windows for cross ventilation if you can do so safely and hopefully, have screens to keep out bugs or bug repellent. Close windows and seal door again as sun begins to reheat outside temperature.
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