Hot Weather Resources

Practice Heat Safety

Stay Cool

• Drink plenty of water.
• Be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. 
• Apply sunscreen regularly.  
• Dress in lightweight and light-colored clothing.
• Limit time outside.
• Make sure you have a cool place to shelter from the heat. 
• Avoid outdoor activities, especially strenuous activity, during peak heating times of the day. 
• If you must work outdoors, work early or very late in the day. 
• Stay in an air-conditioned place as much as possible.
• If your home does not have air conditioning, consider visiting the shopping mall or a public library. Even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you return to the heat.
• Remember that electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, they will not prevent heat-related illness.
• Take a cool shower or bath to cool off.
• Use your stove and oven less to maintain a cooler indoor temperature.

Stay Hydrated

• Drink more fluids, regardless of your level of activity. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.
• Stay away from very sugary or alcoholic drinks — these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.
• Heavy sweating removes essential salts and minerals from the body that need to be replenished. A sports drink can help replace the salt and minerals lost in sweat.

Monitor Those at High Risk

Although anyone at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others:

• Infants and young children
• People 65 years of age or older
• People who are overweight
• People who overexert during work or exercise
• People who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure, or who take certain medications, such as for depression, insomnia, or poor circulation
• Visit adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Infants and young children, of course, need much more frequent watching.

If you are concerned about a loved one's well-being during a period of dangerous heat, contact the Naperville Police Department at (630) 420-6666 to arrange for a non-emergency wellness check. 

Heat Exhaustion vs. Heat Stroke

Heat Exhaustion

Symptoms

• Heavy sweating
• Weakness
• Cool, pale, and clammy skin
• Fast and weak pulse
• Possible muscle cramps
• Dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fainting

First Aid 

• Move the person to a cooler environment
• Lay the person down and loosen clothing
• Apply cool, wet cloths to as much of the body as possible
• Fan or move the victim to an air-conditioned room
• Offer sips of water
• If a person vomits more than once, seek immediate medical attention

Heat Stroke

Symptoms

• Altered mental state
• One or more of the following symptoms: throbbing headache; confusion; nausea; dizziness; shallow breathing; body temperature above 103°F; hot, red, or dry moist skin; rapid and strong pulse; fainting; or losing consciousness

First Aid 

• Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency. Call 911 or get the victim to a hospital immediately. Delay can be fatal.
• Move the victim to a cooler, preferably air-conditioned, environment.
• Reduce body temperature with cool cloths or a bath.
• Use a fan if heat index temperatures are below the high 90s. A fan can make you hotter at higher temperatures.
• Do NOT give fluids.

For more information, visit the CDC website.

Children, Pets and Vehicles

• NEVER leave a toddler, disabled person or pet locked in a car.
• Cars can quickly heat up to dangerous temperatures, even with a window cracked open. While anyone left in a parked car is at risk, children are especially at risk of getting heat stroke or dying.
• If you have a toddler in your household, lock your cars, even in your own driveway. 
• When traveling with children, remember to do the following:
  • To remind yourself that a child is in the car, keep a stuffed animal in the car seat. When the child is buckled in, place the stuffed animal in the front with the driver.
  • When leaving your car, check to be sure everyone is out of the car. Do not overlook any children who have fallen asleep in the car.
• Dangerously hot weather can be just as deadly to animals.
  • Provide ample shade and water.
  • Limit time outside and exercise on hot days.
  • Be mindful of hot pavement, which can burn your pet's paw pads. 

If you see a child or animal in an unattended, parked car, call 911.