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Extreme Heat

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**Never leave children, vulnerable adults, or pets inside a parked vehicle when it's hot. The sun can turn a vehicle into an oven within minutes, even if it doesn’t feel hot outside.**

Map of locations where the public can cool off during extreme heat

Stay Cool

  • Stay in the shade, in air-conditioning if you can, or in cool places such as basements.
  • Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
  • Take cool showers.
  • Use fans, but don't rely on them as the only way to stay cool.
  • Go to public buildings that are air-conditioned.
  • Sleep without sheets.
  • Avoid hot drinks and meals.

Stay Hydrated

  • Drink more water than usual, especially if you're exercising or active outdoors.
  • Be proactive, don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink water.
  • Don't drink alcoholic or caffeinated beverages.

Stay Informed

  • Follow local weather and news reports.
  • Sign up for weather alerts at VT-Alert.
  • Try out the National Weather Service Experimental Enhanced Weather Outlook Map.
  • Follow social media accounts of government organizations.

Be Mindful of Health Impacts

  • Take it easy when it's hot.
  • Reduce outdoor work and exercise and limit it to the cooler parts of the day.
  • Ask for help if you feel sick.
  • Stop what you are doing if you feel faint or weak.
  • Be more cautious if you have a chronic health condition.

Check on Vulnerable Friends, Family, and Neighbors

  • Call your loved ones and neighbors to check on them, especially if they are older or have chronic health conditions.
  • Make sure they are drinking enough water and are staying cool.
  • Remind them to take heat seriously.

Keep Your Home Cool

  • Draw light-colored shades to keep out the sun—dark-colored shades can be less effective.
  • Close windows during the day when it is hotter outside than inside.
  • Open windows at night when it's cooler outside than inside.
  • Use fans to blow in cooler outside air or vent out warmer inside air.
  • Limit use of the stove, oven and other heat-generating appliances.

Videos: Stay Safe in Very Hot Weather
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