INDIANA – While it gets hot in Indiana every summer, any time it gets above 90 degrees Fahrenheit you should be prepared to change your behavior to keep safe.
If you have to be active in the heat, there are several precautions you can take to protect yourself from heat-related illnesses.
Things you should do
- Drink plenty of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
- If you must be outside, take breaks. Rest in the shade or in an air-conditioned space.
- Avoid the outdoors during midday when temperatures are at their hottest.
- Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing.
- Slow down from your normal pace.
- Watch for signs of heat stress and take action if you experience any of these symptoms: lack of sweating, muscle cramps, rapid pulse, headache, dizziness, nausea, or confusion.
- Consider going to a public location that is air-conditioned if you don’t have air conditioning at home.
- Visit the Get Ready! website for more helpful hints to navigating extreme heat.
Things you should not do
- Don’t drink alcohol or caffeinated drinks; stick with water—and drink plenty of it!
- Don’t ignore signs of fatigue.
- Don’t exert yourself outdoors alone; use a buddy system and watch one another for signs of fatigue.
- Don’t leave children or pets in parked cars.
- Don’t spend extended time in a building without air conditioning. Check with local emergency management or IUEMC for cooling shelter locations.
- Don’t neglect loved ones. Twice daily, check on folks most affected by heat, like the elderly or the sick.
- Don’t forget to keep your pets cool and hydrated.
Information: Protect IU
