Oppressively hot and extremely humid weather conditions are expected this weekend for Western New York. The heat index, which is a measure of heat and humidity, will make it feel like 95 to 100°F in some parts of the region and state. Humidity – moisture in the air – increases the feeling of heat.Hot weather will continue into next week.
Everyone should take steps to stay cool, stay hydrated and stay informed with weather updates. Anyone spending time outside – including at Taste of Buffalo, local garden walks, family activities, and community events – will be at risk for heat-related illness like heat stroke and heat exhaustion. People who spend time in homes and spaces without air conditioning will also be at risk. Please share this with people who may not see this message.
- Plan to check on family members, older adults and neighbors, especially households with very young children, older adults, pregnant people, and people with disabilities or serious/chronic medical conditions. If air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest level of your home or consider going to a basement. Keep window shades or blinds closed. Go to an indoor space with air conditioning if possible. Many locations are listed at www.erie.gov/staycool
- If you must be outside, limit strenuous activities and exercise, find shade, drink plenty of water, and take frequent breaks. Limit outdoor activities to the early morning hours or in the evening, when the temperatures tend to be lower.
- Monitor yourself and those around you for symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Someone with heat exhaustion may feel dizzy, weak, irritable, muscle cramps and nausea – like they could vomit. Heat exhaustion symptoms may be managed by getting the person to a cool area, applying cool washcloths to skin and encouraging small sips of cool water. Heat exhaustion is more likely for older adults, people with high blood pressure and people working outdoors or in a hot environment.
Heat exhaustion can turn into heat stroke, which is a medical emergency. Heat stroke symptoms may include confusion/slurred speech, loss of consciousness, hot, dry skin OR extreme sweating or seizures. If heat stroke is suspected, call 9-1-1 immediately. Move the person to a cool area and use cold water and ice to cool the person quickly. Heat stroke can cause permanent disability or death if the person does not receive emergency treatment. - Certain medications can affect your body’s ability to regulate temperature or to sweat. These can include common prescription medications - antidepressant or antipsychotic medications, diuretics, opioids and pain relievers - stimulants like cocaine or methamphetamine and other unregulated drugs. (Especially in early recovery from alcohol and drug addiction, people may have difficulty regulating their body temperature.) **If you have questions about specific medications, check with your doctor or pharmacist.**
- Drink at least 2-4 glasses of water per hour during extreme heat, even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid beverages containing alcohol or caffeine.
- Infants less than 6 months of age should not be given water. On hot days, they can be breastfed more often, or given additional breast milk or formula in a bottle.
- Take a cool shower or bath using tepid (mildly warm) water. Sudden temperature changes may make you feel dizzy or sick.
Prevent hot car deaths: stop, look then lock your vehicle. Always check the back seat for children and pets before leaving and locking your vehicle. Never leave people or pets in a vehicle, even for a few minutes. A vehicle’s interior temperature can exceed 120°F in just a few minutes, even if the windows are cracked and the vehicle is parked in the shade.
One trick to remember to check the back seat is to leave an essential item, such as a phone or purse, in the back seat that in needed for when you arrive at your destination.
Make sure you are thinking about your pets and livestock, and that they will have access to fresh water and shade.
The ECDOH Office of Health Equity produced a comprehensive newsletter with ways to stay cool in extreme heat. This is available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Bengali, Burmese and Swahili.
- WEAR light-colored, loose clothing. Cotton and linen are best.
- FIND shade where you can. Bring a hat or umbrella.
- STAY in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible. Look for cooling centers in your area.
- AVOID using your oven or stove to cook.
- EAT hydrating foods like melon and cucumber.
- TAKE cool showers or baths.
- TAKE breaks when working or playing outside.
- AVOID or limit intense physical activity.
- CHECK on your loved ones, neighbors and anyone who lives alone.
- KNOW the early signs of heat illness.
- DO NOT WAIT for a heat cramp to start cooling down. Stay cool from the beginning.
For more information:
Erie County Extreme Heat: www.erie.gov/health/extreme-heat
Ready.gov, Heat: www.ready.gov/heat
National Weather Service, Heat Safety: www.weather.gov/safety/heat
CDC, Extreme Heat and Your Health: www.cdc.gov/extreme-heat/about/index.html
