11 Ways to Stay Safe During the Heat Wave

The National Weather Service has issued heat wave warnings for the next few days, with temperatures in the 90s expected through Friday.

While hiding in your air-conditioned room may be one way to deal with it, it's not always possible. If you have to be outside, extra precautions are in order.

Here are some important safety reminders from the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management:

1. If possible, stay out of the sun. When in the sun, wear sunscreen (at least SPF 15) and a hat to protect your face and head.
2. Use an air conditioner if you have one. Set the thermostat no lower than 78 degrees.
3. If you do not have an air conditioner, keep rooms well-ventilated with open windows and fans. Consider going to a public pool, air-conditioned store, mall, movie theater, or cooling center—the local public library branches provide relief until about 9 p.m. Monday through Friday.
4. Fans work best at night, when they can bring in cooler air from outside.
5. Make a special effort to check on your neighbors during a heat wave, especially if they are seniors, young children, and people with special needs. Many older people live alone and could suffer unnecessarily in the heat because they are isolated from friends and family.
6. Seniors and others who may be sensitive to extreme heat should contact friends, neighbors, or relatives at least twice a day during a heat wave.
7. Drink fluids particularly water even if you do not feel thirsty.* Avoid beverages containing alcohol, caffeine, or high amounts of sugar.
8. Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose clothing that covers as much of your skin as possible.
9. Never leave children, pets, or those who require special care in a parked car during periods of intense summer heat.
10. Avoid strenuous activity, especially during the sun’s peak hours 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you must engage in strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, usually in the morning between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m.
11. Cool showers or baths may be helpful, but avoid extreme temperature changes. Never take a shower immediately after becoming overheated extreme temperature changes may make you ill, nauseated, or dizzy.