NIMS Integration Center 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security 
500 C Street, SW 

Fact Sheet 

Washington, DC 20472 

Extreme Heat 



Heat kills by pushing the human body beyond its limits. In extreme heat and high humidity, evaporation is slowed 
and the body must work extra hard to maintain a normal temperature. Most heat disorders occur because the victim 
has been overexposed to heat or has over-exercised for his or her age and physical condition. Older adults, young 
children, and those who are sick or overweight are more likely to succumb to extreme heat. 

Conditions that can induce heat-related illnesses include stagnant atmospheric conditions and poor air quality. 
Consequently, people living in urban areas may be at greater risk from the effects of a prolonged heat wave than 
those living in rural areas. Also, asphalt and concrete store heat longer and gradually release heat at night, which can 
produce higher nighttime temperatures known as the “urban heat island effect.” 

Know Your Risk and What to Do 

. 
Contact your local emergency management office to learn about community emergency plans and what you 
should include in yours. 
. 
Get additional information from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (www.ready.gov), the American 
Red Cross (www.redcross.org) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (www.fema.gov). 
. 
Inquire about emergency plans and procedures at your child’s school, at your workplace and at any institution 
where a member of your family is resident or receives care on a regular basis. 
. 
Make a family disaster plan that includes out-of-town contacts and locations to reunite if you become separated. 
Be sure everyone knows home, work and cell phone numbers, and how to call 9-1-1. 
. 
Assemble a 3-day disaster supplies kit with food, water, medical supplies, battery-powered radio and NOAA 
Weather Radio All Hazards, batteries, flashlights, and other items. If you have space and you are concerned 
about situations that might require lengthy shelter, consider storing food and water supplies for up to a month. 
For more information about assembling a disaster supplies kit, visit www.fema.gov/areyouready/. 
. 
Gather important documents such as birth and marriage certificates, social security cards, passports, wills, 
deeds, and financial and insurance records. Store them in a fire- and water-safe location or safe deposit box. 

Before Extreme Heat 

. 
Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, awnings, or louvers. (Outdoor 
awnings or louvers can reduce the heat that enters a home by up to 80 percent.) Install temporary window 
reflectors between windows and drapes, such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard, to reflect heat back outside. 

. 
Weather-strip doors and sills to keep cool air in. Keep storm windows up all year. 

During Extreme Heat 

. 
Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun. 

. 
Stay on the lowest floor if air conditioning is not available. 

. 
Consider spending the warmest part of the day in public buildings such as libraries, movie theaters, shopping 
malls, and other community facilities. 

. 
Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. Use a buddy system when working in extreme heat, 

and take frequent breaks. 

. 
Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight, and light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible. 

. 
Protect face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat. 

. 
Eat well-balanced, light, and regular meals. Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician. 

. 
Drink plenty of water. Persons who have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease, are on fluid-restricted diets, 

or have a problem with fluid retention should consult a doctor before increasing liquid intake. 

. 
Limit intake of alcoholic beverages. 

. 
Check on family, friends, and neighbors who do not have air conditioning and who spend their time alone. 

. 
Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles. 


Know the Terms 

. 
Heat Cramps – Muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion. Heat cramps are often the first signal that the 
body is having trouble with the heat. 

. 
Heat Exhaustion – Typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where body fluids 
are lost through heavy sweating. Blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital 
organs. This results in a form of mild shock. If not treated, the victim’s condition will worsen. Body 
temperature will keep rising and the victim may suffer heat stroke. 

. 
Heat Stroke (also Sun Stroke) – A life-threatening condition. The victim’s temperature control system, which 
produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage 
and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly. 

Signals of Heat Emergencies 

. 
Heat exhaustion: Cool, moist, pale, or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and 
exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal. 

. 
Heat stroke: Hot, red skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Body 
temperature can be very high-- as high as 105 degrees F. If the person was sweating from heavy work or 
exercise, skin may be wet; otherwise, it will feel dry. 

Treatment of Heat Emergencies 

. 
Heat cramps: Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. Lightly stretch 
the affected muscle and replenish fluids. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not give liquids 
with alcohol or caffeine in them, as they can make conditions worse. 

. 
Heat exhaustion: Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. Remove or 
loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. If the person is conscious, give cool 
water to drink. Make sure the person drinks slowly. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not 
give liquids that contain alcohol or caffeine. Watch carefully for changes in his/her condition. 

. 
Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation. Help is needed fast. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency 
number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Immerse victim in a cool bath, or wrap wet 
sheets around the body and fan it. Watch for signals of breathing problems. Keep the person lying down and 
continue to cool the body any way you can. If the victim refuses water or is vomiting or if there are changes in 
the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink. 

The Recovery Process 

. 
For direct assistance to individuals and families for immediate needs contact the American Red Cross or other 
local voluntary agencies. 

. 
Check newspapers, television, or radio news for information on disaster assistance available. 

. 
Heat Wave: A Major Summer Killer. An online brochure describing the heat index, heat disorders, and heat 
wave safety tips. Available online at: www.nws.noaa.gov/om//brochures/heat_wave.htm 

. 
For information on helping children deal with disaster, visit www.fema.gov or get a copy of FEMA 478 Helping 
Children Cope with Disaster. To obtain other fact sheets and publications call the FEMA publications warehouse at 
1-800-480-2520. 

Dangerous Extreme Heat Myth! The Facts: 
If someone is suffering from heat 
stroke, it is enough to give them 
water and get them to a cool place. 
Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency that requires immediate 
medical attention. Symptoms could include: high body temperature 
(105+); hot, red, dry skin; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid shallow 
breathing. Victim will probably not sweat unless victim was sweating 
from recent strenuous activity. If you think someone is suffering from 
heat stroke, call 9-1-1 or emergency medical services, or get the victim 
to a hospital immediately. Delay can be fatal. 

June 2007 
FEMA-565