Severe Weather Safety

When severe storms or hot weather hits, stay safe and prepared.

• Locate cooling centers

   Find cooling centers near you to stay cool during the hottest days.

• Dont leave children or pets behind

  Never leave children or pets in enclosed vehicles. It only takes minutes for your vehicle to reach temperatures of 140 degrees or higher.

• Drink plenty of water

  Stay hydrated and avoid drinks with caffeine and alcohol to help stay cool. 

• Plan activity

  Be strategic about tackling physically-active activities (like housework or exercise) early in the morning or later in the evening when it's coolest. 

• Wear light clothing

  Light, cooler material of clothing will help keep you cooler in hot weather. 

• Reduce sunlight

  Close shades, blinds, drapes and curtains to reduce heat from the sun in your home.

• Operate generators outside

  Don't operate a generator inside the home, including in the basement or garage.

• Bring pets indoors

  If they can’t come inside, make sure they have cool shelter and access to water.

• Have an emergency kit

  Stay severe-weather and storm ready by making an emergency kit for your home, workplace and vehicles. Get more info on building yours here.

Summer heat health hazards

Two of the more common and potentially life-threatening dangers that occur in hot-weather conditions are heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear light clothing, drink plenty of water and stay in shaded or cooler areas to help prevent overheating. Learn to recognize the symptoms:

• Heat exhaustion happens when you start to over heat. Its symptoms include heavy sweating, rapid pulse, dizziness and low blood pressure when standing. And it's often caused by high temperatures coupled with dehydration, high humidity or lots of physical activity. If you suspect heat exhaustion, stop physical activity, drink water and get to a cooler spot.
• Heat stroke often happens when heat exhaustion signs are ignored. Its symptoms include fever, headache, altered mental state, sweating, nausea and vomiting, flushed skin, rapid breathing and fast heart rate. If experiencing these symptoms, take immediate action to cool down (cold towels, water, get to a cooler area) while waiting for emergency help to arrive.


For safety information related to storms and outages, learn about power outage safety or how to prepare for outages.