Red Cross issues advice to stay safe during extreme heat
[June 20, 2025]
June 19, 2025 — Experts are warning that dangerously high temperatures
are expected across the region. The American Red Cross urges everyone to
take three critical actions to stay safe:
- Stay hydrated by drinking a cup of water every hour, even if you don’t
feel thirsty. Avoid sugary, caffeinated and alcoholic drinks.
- Stay cool by spending time in air-conditioned places. If your home is
too hot, go to a mall, library or cooling center.
- Stay connected by checking on others and asking for help if you need
it. Make sure pets have access to fresh water and shade.
“Knowing what to do to protect yourself and loved ones from extreme heat
can save lives,” said Tony Lasher, Division Disaster Director. “We’re
asking everyone to check on friends and neighbors, especially older
adults, people with chronic conditions, outdoor workers and athletes.
You could make all the difference by sending a text, making a call or
knocking on their door.”
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO: Remind everyone to drink water, even if they
don’t feel thirsty. Aim for a cup of water every hour and encourage
people to avoid sugary, caffeinated or alcoholic drinks. Babies should
be breast-fed or bottle-fed often. Fewer wet diapers or darker urine can
be signs of dehydration.
Encourage athletes and outdoor workers to take breaks in the shade. They
should drink a cup of water every 20 minutes and take frequent water
breaks.
Help those without air conditioning find a safe place to go like a mall,
library or cooling center. They can also take cool showers or baths to
help cool off. Remind people to wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothes
in light colors.
Never leave a child or pet alone inside a parked car, and make sure pets
have access to fresh water and shade.
HEAT ILLNESS SIGNS: Anyone can become ill during extreme heat if
their body can’t cool down properly. It’s critical to act fast as some
types of heat illness can be deadly.
Heat cramps are signaled by heavy sweating and muscle pain. Take action
by stopping what you’re doing, resting in a cool place and slowly
sipping water. Don’t drink if you feel sick, and get medical help if
cramps last over an hour or you have heart problems.
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Heat exhaustion is signaled by heavy sweating, weakness, cool and
clammy skin, muscle cramps, dizziness, fainting, nausea or vomiting.
Take action by stopping what you’re doing, resting in a cool place
and slowly sipping water. Don’t drink if you feel sick. Loosen your
clothes and place a cool wet cloth on your body. Get medical help if
you don’t feel better, vomit or have heart problems.
Heat stroke is a deadly condition signaled by high body temperature,
rapid heartbeat, confusion, headache, dizziness, fainting, nausea or
vomiting. Call 911. Move to a cooler place, remove extra clothing
and use a wet cloth or a cool bath to cool down. Don’t drink
anything.
IF THE POWER GOES OUT: When a heat wave and a power outage
happen at the same time, it can be even more dangerous. Stay in air
conditioning either at home or at a mall, library or cooling center.
Keep an ice-filled cooler stocked with food, water and medicine, so
that they don’t spoil. More information is available
here.
Finally, download the free Red Cross First Aid app so you’ll know
what to do if emergency help is delayed and the free Emergency app
for real-time weather alerts and heat safety information. Content is
available in English and Spanish with an easy-to-find language
selector. Find both apps in smartphone app stores by searching for
the American Red Cross or going to
redcross.org/apps.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to
victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood;
teaches skills that save lives; distributes international
humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their
families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on
volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its
mission. For more information, please visit
redcross.org or
CruzRojaAmericana.org,
or follow us on social media.
[Mara Thompson
Regional Communications Manager
American Red Cross of Illinois] |
