Extreme heat and stifling humidity are set to hit much of the country east of the Rocky Mountains in the coming days, putting millions of people in the path of the hottest temperatures of the year so far and uncomfortably muggy air which will last into next week.
Many areas will see temperatures above 90 degrees with the humidity making it feel like it’s above 100 degrees. Several major cities will be impacted, including Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York City, Cleveland, Denver, Chicago, Minneapolis, St. Louis and Houston.
Such extreme heat can be dangerous ─ even deadly ─ and the American Red Cross urges everyone to take these three critical steps:
1. Stay hydrated by drinking a cup of water every hour, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid sugary, caffeinated and alcoholic drinks.
2. Stay cool by spending time in air-conditioned places. If your home is too hot, go to a mall, library or cooling center.
3. Stay connected by checking on others and asking for help if you need it. Make sure pets have access to fresh water and shade.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO Look out for loved ones and neighbors during extreme heat ─ send a text, make a call or knock on their door. Especially at risk are older adults, children, pregnant women, people with chronic conditions or disabilities, outdoor workers, athletes and people without air conditioning.
Remind everyone to drink water, even if they don’t feel thirsty. Encourage them 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 sit in the shade outside or 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 It’s critical to act fast if someone has become ill because of the heat.
Heat cramps are signaled by heavy sweating and muscle pain. Have the person stop what they’re doing, rest in a cool place and slowly sip water. If they feel sick, don’t give them anything to drink and get medical help if cramps last over an hour or they have heart problems.
Heat exhaustion is signaled by heavy sweating, weakness, cool and clammy skin, muscle cramps, dizziness, fainting, nausea or vomiting. Have the person stop what they’re doing, rest in a cool place and slowly sip water. If they feel sick, don’t give them anything to drink. Loosen their clothes and place cool wet cloth on their body. Get medical help if they 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 the person to a cool place, remove extra clothing and use a wet cloth or a cool bath to cool down. Don’t give them anything to drink.
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. If you need to keep medicine cold or use medical devices that need power, talk to your doctor about a backup plan. 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.
CLIMATE CRISIS As part of a years-long trend, extreme heat is happening more often, lasting longer and becoming more intense. In fact, 2024 was the hottest year on record globally. Plus, extreme heat is happening in places that don’t usually face such warm temperatures. Extreme heat is a leading cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S., and a 2024 study found that heat-related deaths are on the rise.
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.
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