When Temperatures Soar – What if You Don’t Have Air Conditioning?

Many households are not equipped with air conditioning. Extreme heat events may be few and short in duration where you live, and many people may anticipate that they can cope … for a while. For some, however, extreme heat poses a serious health risk and their ability to tolerate even short periods of high heat is poor: examples include infants and small children; people who are sick, persons with chronic disease, mental illness or who are physically fragile; and those who cannot escape exposure such as outdoor workers.

According to the Center for Disease Control, these are the main things affecting your body’s ability to cool itself during extremely hot weather:

• High humidity. When the humidity is high, sweat won’t evaporate as quickly, which keeps your body from releasing heat as fast as it may need to.


• Personal factors. Age, obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, mental illness, poor circulation, sunburn, and prescription drug and alcohol use can play a role in whether a person can cool off enough in very hot weather.
  

In 2002 a major heat wave triggered outages in the US as demand for power overwhelmed supply in some areas. Residents and visitors were left to creative and sometimes dangerous devices and sadly, some others perished. Wildfires and other natural disasters can also interrupt power during heat events, leaving everyone without air conditioning. It makes sense to also consider how you would cope in an extreme heat event, even if you normally have air conditioning available.

In General

• Stay out of the direct sun.
  

• Protect your skin if you must be out of doors; cover arms, legs, head, neck with lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. Use sunscreen, SPF 30 or greater.


• Postpone physical activity until the heat wave passes or to cooler parts of the day: early morning or late evening.


• If you must be active, slow down and take frequent breaks in the shade.


• Drink water or dilute sports drinks; stay hydrated. Drink regularly and before you are thirsty. Avoid dehydrating beverages such as those with caffeine or alcohol in them.


• Check on others – particularly those who may be more at risk for heat sickness. Keep an eye on coworkers and fellow recreationists for signs of illness. Collapse, confusion, seizure, vomiting, diarrhea, are all signs of serious heat illness, possibly heat stroke or shock, and require immediate medical attention.


• NEVER leave children, frail persons or pets in a car or confined in a hot place – not even for a few minutes.



At Home


• In your home, use fans* to cool and move inside air when outside temperatures are hotter than inside.


• Move to cooler parts of the house. Basements, lower stories and rooms on the north side of the house are often significantly cooler.


• Turn off lights and appliances that are not needed and that generate heat. Defer using appliances such as your oven, cook top, dishwasher until it cools down.
  


• If you have an attic ventilation fan* – turn it on to circulate trapped hot air to the outside.


• Wipe your face, neck and chest with cool, wet washcloths and take cool showers for added comfort. Ice packs, wrapped in a towel, may be used for short periods of time.


• Close curtains to insulate and keep sun and radiant heat from warming inside.


• When temperatures cool, (often when afternoon winds pick up), open windows to allow the breeze to flow through. Note: be careful about open doors and windows when you are not home or when you are asleep. Consider upper story windows that would be out of reach to would-be intruders.


• Consider air-conditioned* activities during the hottest part of the day: visit the library, see a movie, do some light shopping.


• If you’re having trouble staying cool, let family, a friend or neighbor know. If you’re feeling ill from the heat, call for medical help!



* assumes no power outage


Reprinted and edited from original posting from:
Peggy Peirson, Emergency Services Coordinator
Benton County Emergency Management, Search & Rescue
180 NW 5th Street, Corvallis, OR 97330