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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.