Extreme Heat Forecasted – Know the signs of heat-related illness and be a heat helper

A heat wave is expected in Massachusetts over the next seven days. 

Learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness to help prepare your patients and communities at higher risk of heat-related illness.

Extreme heat can be dangerous and even life-threatening if precautions are not taken. During prolonged periods of very hot weather, the body must work harder to stay cool, increasing the risk of heat-related illness.

Did you know?

·         Signs of heat-related illness include feeling dizzy, dehydration, headaches, muscle cramps, difficulty focusing, increased irritability and more.

·         Heat-related illnesses range from mild to life-threatening and can worsen common conditions affecting the heart, lungs, mind, and kidneys.

·         While anyone can be affected, older adults, young children, pregnant individuals, workers exposed to excessive heat, and people with chronic medical conditions are especially vulnerable. 

Encouraging preventive steps—like staying hydrated, avoiding strenuous activity, and seeking cooler environments—can help protect your patients and community members during periods of extreme heat.

Encourage your patients and communities to be heat helpers by:

·         Learning the signs and symptoms of heat related illness

·         Checking on neighbors, older adults, people living alone, and anyone without air conditioning

·         Helping friends and family get to a cooler space

·         Sharing heat alerts with their community

·         Encouraging people to drink water regularly, even if they don’t feel thirsty 

Below is a collection of links and resources, available in multiple languages, focused on high-risk populations, health hazards associated with extreme heat, response strategies, and tools to support effective planning and communication.

H.E.A.T. Resources

• Extreme Heat: A central hub for resources, tools, and guidance to stay safe during periods of extreme heat.
• Unhealthy Heat Forecast: Track upcoming heat conditions in your community with a 7-day forecast and color-coded risk levels.
• Community Heat Resources: Find heat safety tips, shareable multilingual outreach materials, and key state resources to help residents and communities prepare for extreme heat and stay safe.
• Unhealthy Heat Action Toolkit: A downloadable toolkit with ready-to-use social media posts, messages, and other resources to help organizations share heat safety information and promote action during periods of unhealthy heat.
• Celebrate Safely – Heat and Health Tips for Watch Parties and Summer Events: A collection of safety tips, guidance, and shareable materials to help people prepare for and stay safe during summer events and hot weather.
• Heat resources and guidance: Clear, targeted fact sheets for specific settings and populations vulnerable to extreme heat.