Extreme Heat Prep Basics: Staying Safe When Temperatures Spike

Extreme heat kills more people every year than hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes combined. Once temperatures hit dangerous levels, heat exhaustion turns into heat stroke fast—and heat stroke is a medical emergency. Preparing ahead of time gives you cooling options, hydration plans, and ways to keep your home livable when the grid is stressed or rolling blackouts hit.

For how to keep your home running during outages, check Backup Lighting Options and Emergency Cooking Basics.

1. Hydration Is the First Line of Defense

In extreme heat, dehydration happens before you notice symptoms. Prepare by storing:

• One gallon of water per person per day (minimum)
• Electrolyte packets or sports drinks
• Misting bottles for evaporative cooling

Sip steadily—don’t wait until you feel thirsty.

2. Keep Your Home as Cool as Possible

Even without AC, you can lower indoor temperature with a few simple steps:

• Close blinds and curtains during peak sun
• Use reflective window film or emergency blankets against sun-facing windows
• Open windows at night if outdoor temps drop
• Block unused rooms to keep cool air concentrated

Insulating the home isn’t just for winter—heat infiltration works the same way as cold loss.

3. Fans and Evaporative Cooling

Fans don’t cool air—they cool you. Combine fans with moisture for better results:

• Use a wet towel around the neck
• Mist skin lightly and sit near a fan
• Use a DIY swamp-cooler method if humidity is low

When humidity is high, fans work less effectively but are still better than nothing.

4. Prepare for Power Outages

Heat waves overload the grid. Plan for losing AC by having:

• Battery-powered fans
• Portable power stations
• Ice packs or frozen water bottles
• Backup cooling shelters identified ahead of time

If rolling blackouts are expected, pre-chill your home to buy yourself time.

5. Clothing and Shade

• Wear breathable, loose, light-colored clothing
• Use wide-brim hats when outside
• Avoid dark colors—they absorb heat
• Use umbrellas or tarps to create shade quickly

6. Cooling With Water

Water keeps body temperature down efficiently:

• Cool showers or baths
• Wet towels on wrists, ankles, and neck
• Splashing cool water on your face periodically

If water supply is limited, follow the storage and filtration advice in Emergency Water Filtration Basics.

7. Protect Vulnerable Individuals

Kids, the elderly, and pets overheat quickly. Ensure they have:

• Access to shade at all times
• Plenty of cool water
• Frequent rest breaks

Never leave pets or people in cars—temperatures climb to lethal levels within minutes.

8. Recognize Heat Illness Early

Heat exhaustion signs:

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Heavy sweating
• Nausea
• Fast pulse

Heat stroke signs (medical emergency):

• Stopped sweating
• Confusion
• Skin hot to the touch
• Fainting or collapse

Call emergency services immediately if heat stroke is suspected.

9. Avoid These Common Heat Mistakes

• Drinking only water without electrolytes
• Using fans in sealed, unventilated rooms during extreme temps
• Relying on alcohol or caffeine (they worsen dehydration)
• Waiting until “it gets bad” before cooling down

10. Bottom Line

Extreme heat is predictable—and survivable—with simple preparation. Hydrate early, cool your home intelligently, prepare for outages, and monitor yourself and your family for signs of heat illness. A few basic actions prevent most heat-related emergencies.