Extreme Heat

•  Upgrade Insulation: Ensure your attic, walls, and floors are adequately insulated to prevent heat transfer.
•  Seal Air Leaks:Weatherstrip doors and windows to prevent hot air from entering and cool air from escaping.
• Minimal Furnishings: Reduce clutter to improve airflow and make your home feel less stuffy.

•  Water-Wise Landscaping: Choose drought-tolerant plants that require less watering.
• Fans: Have several battery-operated and good old fashioned hand fans available.
• Cooling Towels: Keep cooling towels or cooling packs on hand.
• Water Storage: Store plenty of water for drinking, cooking, and sanitation.
• Electrolyte packets: Keep electrolyte packets on hand to prevent dehydration.

• Medication Safety: Understand how extreme heat may affect your medication's effectiveness and have potential side effects.
• Medical Awareness: Learn the signs of heatstroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and know what to do in case of an emergency.

Heat Stroke

• Symptoms: High body temperature (above 103°F or 39.4°C), hot, red, dry or damp skin, rapid, strong pulse, headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, loss of consciousness.
• What to do: Call 911 immediately. This is a life-threatening emergency. While waiting for help, move the person to a cooler place, remove tight clothing, and cool them down with cool water or ice packs. Do not give them fluids if they are unconscious.

Heat Exhaustion

• Symptoms: Heavy sweating, weakness, fatigue, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, cool, pale, clammy skin, fast, weak pulse.
• What to do: Move the person to a cooler place, loosen their clothing, and help them cool down with cool water or fans. Give them fluids to drink slowly and in small sips as soon as possible, aiming to replace fluids steadily without causing nausea or vomiting. Fluids should be given immediately upon noticing symptoms and continue sipping regularly until they feel better. Seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or do not improve.

 Heat Cramps

• Symptoms: Painful muscle cramps, usually in the legs or abdomen, heavy sweating.
• What to do: Move the person to a cooler place, have them rest, and gently stretch the cramped muscles. Give them fluids to drink, such as water or sports drinks.

• Open Windows Strategically: Open windows at night when temperatures are cooler and close them during the day to keep cool air inside.
• Cross-Ventilation: Open windows on opposite sides of your home to create a cross-breeze.
• Damp Curtains or Sheets: Hang damp curtains or sheets in front of windows to cool the air as it passes through.
• Shade Windows: Close all curtains well before sunrise. Use curtains, blinds, or awnings to block direct sunlight. Foil can be used on windows without dressings.
• Homemade Air Conditioner: Create a DIY air conditioner by placing a bowl of ice in front of a fan. The cool air from the melting ice will be circulated throughout the room.
• Close Unused Rooms: Close off rooms that aren't in use to prevent heat from spreading.
• Utilize Basement or Cellar: If you have a basement or cellar, consider moving to a cooler room during the hottest parts of the day.

• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water, even if you don't feel thirsty. Avoid sugary drinks and alcohol.
• Limit Physical Activity: Reduce strenuous activities, especially during the hottest parts of the day.
• Wear Loose-Fitting Clothing: Choose light-colored, loose-fitting clothing made of breathable fabrics.
• Seek Shade or Air Conditioning: If possible, spend time in air-conditioned spaces or seek shade during the hottest hours.
• Take Cool Showers or Baths: Cooling down with a shower or bath can help lower your body temperature.
• Use Fans: Use fans to circulate air and create a cooling breeze.
• Avoid Direct Sunlight: Limit exposure to direct sunlight, especially during the hottest parts of the day.
• Check on Vulnerable Individuals: Regularly check on elderly neighbors, family members, or those with health conditions.
• Cook Outside: If possible, cook meals outside to avoid generating heat inside your home.

• Food Safety: If the power outage lasts for an extended period, be mindful of food safety. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as  possible.
• Eat small portions of food to reduce thermogenic effect of food, avoid  vomiting which fucks up your electrolytes and adds to the danger of heart problems during dehydration 
• Fire Safety: High temperatures also bring most materials closer to their ignition point so you need to be extra careful with the fuel (liquid & vapor/fumes as  well as any rags, paper towels etc)

• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water with electrolyte packets, even if you don't feel thirsty. Avoid sugary drinks and alcohol.
• Limit Activity: Minimize physical exertion.
• Seek Shade or Cooling: Find a shaded area or a cool space, such as a basement or cellar.
• Cool Down: Use cold water, ice packs, or cooling towels to lower your body temperature.
• Monitor Yourself and Others: Keep an eye on yourself and others for signs of heatstroke and heat exhaustion.
• Earth Pit Cooling: If you do not have a basement, outside dig a shallow hole (early morning or late at night) and place a damp cloth or towel inside. Sit on the cloth to cool down.