Tips to Stay Safe and Cool in a Heatwave
Hangout in air-conditioned spaces: B Building and your building's lobby or community room.
Turn off unneeded appliances and electronics. Light bulbs may radiate excess heat. Change to energy-efficient bulbs as the produce less heat and can also reduce utility costs.
Cook with the stove when it's still cool outside. Use Instant Pot or Crockpot for cooking. Eat lighter meals like salad, fruit, cold meats, and sandwiches. Make fruit juice popsicles with ice cube trays and popsicle sticks.
Close shades and curtains during the day when direct sunlight can enter the apartment. Add reflective covering inside windows exposed to the sun, such as aluminum foil or reflective mylar.
Wear lightweight, loose-fitting and flowing clothes. Cotton texture keeps part of the fabric away from the skin, allowing for air channels to open up. Light colors reflect light and heat. Hats should have air circulation.
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and beverages several times per day. Don't wait to get thirsty. Watch for signs of dehydration: Thirst, Dry mouth, Dry skin, Infrequent urination and dark colored urine, Muscle fatigue, Reduced cognitive processing, Dizziness, Confused or dazed states of awareness.
Fill a spray bottle with cold water and spritz yourself during the day. Take a cold shower.
Place ice packs on your wrists, back of neck, groin, and temples to stay cool. Soak your feet in a bowl or tub of cold water to cool down fast. Put a cool washcloth or towel on your face, neck, or arms. Keep plastic bottles of frozen water in the freezer for cooling your skin. Rotate two ice/hot-water bags kept filled with water in the refrigerator.
If you are thinking about getting a portable air conditioner, buy one well before the first heatwave, as there will be a shortage.
If A/C is too expensive, consider buying a couple of box fans. They can also be used as air filters with attached furnace filters, incase wildfires fill the air with smoke. During poor air quality conditions, you are advised to keep windows shut, exacerbating heat conditions.
If A/C is too expensive, consider buying a couple of box fans. They can also be used as air filters with attached furnace filters, incase wildfires fill the air with smoke. During poor air quality conditions, you are advised to keep windows shut, exacerbating heat conditions.
It's the Humidity
National Weather Service Heat Index (HI)
NWS HI charts at weather.gov/ffc/hichart & Here
This is useful for people in high-risk groups, such as seniors.
Animals should also be considered for their safety.
NWS HI charts at weather.gov/ffc/hichart & Here
This is useful for people in high-risk groups, such as seniors.
Animals should also be considered for their safety.
Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) charts and tables give an indication of safe and unsafe work conditions in the sun for combinations of humidity and temperature.
This is useful for people active outside in the sun. https://arielschecklist.com/wbgt-chart/
This is useful for people active outside in the sun. https://arielschecklist.com/wbgt-chart/
WGBT vs HI: weather.gov/ict/WBGT
A major difference is WGBT is measured in sunlight and HI is measured in the shade.
A major difference is WGBT is measured in sunlight and HI is measured in the shade.
Signs of Heat Stroke
Signs of Heat Stroke Source: https://tinyurl.com/mayo-heat-stroke
Heatstroke signs and symptoms include:
Other signs of Heat Stroke
If you suspect heat stroke, call your healthcare provider immediately or call 9-1-1.
Heatstroke signs and symptoms include:
- High body temperature. A core body temperature of 104 F (40 C) or higher, obtained with a rectal thermometer, is the main sign of heatstroke.
- Altered mental state or behavior. Confusion, agitation, slurred speech, irritability, delirium, seizures and coma can all result from heatstroke.
- Alteration in sweating. In heatstroke brought on by hot weather, your skin will feel hot and dry to the touch. However, in heatstroke brought on by strenuous exercise, your skin may feel dry or slightly moist.
- Nausea and vomiting. You may feel sick to your stomach or vomit.
- Flushed skin. Your skin may turn red as your body temperature increases.
- Rapid breathing. Your breathing may become rapid and shallow.
- Racing heart rate. Your pulse may significantly increase because heat stress places a tremendous burden on your heart to help cool your body.
- Headache. Your head may throb.
Other signs of Heat Stroke
- Dizziness and fainting
- Muscle Weakness or cramps
If you suspect heat stroke, call your healthcare provider immediately or call 9-1-1.
RESOURCES
Water Intake and Dehydration | PDF Download
CNN: How to stay cool without air conditioning / https://tinyurl.com/cnn-stay-cool
12 Ways to Stay Cool Without Air Conditioning / https://tinyurl.com/life-hacker-stay-cool
National Weather Service forecast for Seattle temperature, wind, and humidity
CNN: How to stay cool without air conditioning / https://tinyurl.com/cnn-stay-cool
12 Ways to Stay Cool Without Air Conditioning / https://tinyurl.com/life-hacker-stay-cool
National Weather Service forecast for Seattle temperature, wind, and humidity
Webinar: Excessive Heat
Partners In Emergency Preparedness
PIEP January 2022 Webinar
https://piepc.org/january-2022-webinar/
Hot Topic This Year: Excessive Heat and Human Health
Excessive Heat Guidebook
https://www.epa.gov/heat-islands/excessive-heat-events-guidebook
Youtube
> https://youtu.be/1fuiy6PeDNw?t=210
PIEP January 2022 Webinar
https://piepc.org/january-2022-webinar/
Hot Topic This Year: Excessive Heat and Human Health
Excessive Heat Guidebook
https://www.epa.gov/heat-islands/excessive-heat-events-guidebook
Youtube
> https://youtu.be/1fuiy6PeDNw?t=210