Heat Wave

People at Higher Risk of Heat-Related Illness

  • Infants and young children
  • Older Adults
  • People with disabilities
  • Chronic heart or lung problems
  • Overweight persons
  • Those who work outdoors or in hot settings
  • Users of some medications, especially some drugs for: 
    • Allergies
    • Depression
    • Heart or Circulatory Problems
    • Mental Disorders
    • Movement Disorders
  • Isolated persons who won’t know when or how to cool off or call for help

Please remember to make frequent checks on elderly, ill or disabled relatives, friends or neighbors when a heat wave strikes - and help them keep cool.

Keeping Infants (Less Than 6 Months of Age) Safe in the Heat

Infants, especially less than 6 months, are at risk for overheating because they have difficulty regulating their body temperature. Parents should:

  • Keep infants inside where it is cool and out of direct sunlight.
  • Infants should be dressed as you would be comfortable. In hot weather all baby needs is a diaper or at most a onesie or similar clothing. Infants do not need to be wrapped in a blanket or a have blanket over the car seat or carrier.
  • Infants under 6 months should not be given water, continue to breastfeed or give formula as usual.
  • Warning signs of dehydration for babies: urine looks dark and less urine in diaper, dry or sticky mouth, no tears when crying, not as active or playful, not eating.
  • Call your baby’s doctor if baby has: fewer than 6 wet diapers per day, gone more than 6 hours without a wet diaper, sunken soft spot on top of the head, or sunken eyes.