SURVIVAL CODEX LIBRARY About Heat and Your Health Source: CDC How to stay safe on hot days: ways to keep cool, drink enough fluids, spot the symptoms of overheating, and plan for medicines. Covers who is at higher risk, including older adults, children, pregnant women and outdoor workers. READ WITH CARE: We copied this page on 7 October 2026. Agencies revise this guidance, so check the original for the current version, and in a real emergency follow instructions from local officials. ABOUT THIS COPY: Made by Survival Codex on 7 October 2026 from the agency's own page. The agency's text that follows is unchanged; only this cover and the closing page are ours. It is a work of the U.S. federal government, in the public domain in the United States (17 U.S.C. §105). FREE AT THE SOURCE: https://www.cdc.gov/heat-health/about/index.html NO ENDORSEMENT: Our use of this material does not imply endorsement by CDC or the U.S. Government of Survival Codex, its products or services. https://survivalcodex.com/pages/library/cdc-about-heat-and-your-health ================================================================ ABOUT HEAT AND YOUR HEALTH ================================================================ KEY POINTS ---------- - Protect yourself and others when it's hot outside by staying cool, staying hydrated, and knowing the symptoms. - Hot days can affect anyone. If you are pregnant, a child or teen with asthma, or have a heart condition or other chronic health conditions, heat can make your health worse. - Work with your doctor to create a Heat Action Plan. STAY COOL --------- If you are outside, especially for a long time, and the HeatRisk is red or above, you can: - Stay in the shade as much as possible. - Take breaks when you can. - Do outdoor activities during the coolest parts of the day or evening, if possible. When you are indoors, you can: - Use fans, but only if indoor temperatures are less than 90°F. In temperatures above 90°F, a fan can increase body temperature. - Use air conditioning or find a location that has one by dialing 2-1-1, visiting the National Center for Healthy Housing's Cooling Centers by State page, or by contacting your local health department or emergency management agency. Check on your family, friends, and neighbors, especially if they have chronic medical problems or live alone. Check on pets. STAY HYDRATED ------------- Drink plenty of fluids - Carry a water bottle. Drink and refill it throughout the day. - Consider limiting beverages high in sugars and sodium, caffeine, and alcohol. - Check your urine color. When it's light yellow or clear, it usually means you are drinking enough water. Drinking water on hot days can help keep you hydrated, regardless of how active you are. KNOW THE SYMPTOMS ----------------- If your body gets too hot, you can get sick. Know the symptoms of your body overheating and know when to seek medical care. Symptoms can include: - Muscle cramping - Unusually heavy sweating - Shortness of breath - Dizziness - Headaches - Weakness - Nausea Watch for symptoms of overheating when you’re outside on hot days. Check your local HeatRisk and Air Quality Enter your zip code on the CDC HeatRisk Dashboard for the heat risk forecast in your area and take recommended actions to protect your health. Plus, check air quality levels – so you can plan your week with your health in mind. Have a plan for your medicine Many medicines can make you dehydrated or overheated on hot days. Also, some medicines need to be kept out of hot places. - Don't stop or change your medicines until you talk to your doctor. - Heat can cause power outages. Have a plan for what to do with refrigerated medications and electronic medical devices. - Store your medicines properly- some may need to be kept out of hot places. FOR THOSE AT HIGH RISK ---------------------- Although anyone at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others. Check on your family, friends, and neighbors, especially if they live alone or have chronic medical problems. Some groups may have to take additional action on hot days, including: - People, especially children, with asthma. - People with heart disease. - Pregnant women. - People 65 years of age or older. - People who are working or exercising outside in the heat. - Infants and young children. People over 65 years of age and young children may need to take additional actions on hot days. ================================================================ SURVIVAL CODEX LIBRARY End of the agency text. The current version of this guidance is always at https://www.cdc.gov/heat-health/about/index.html. Agencies revise their advice; check the original, and in an emergency follow instructions from local officials. More free U.S. government manuals and guides, filed by the job you need them for: https://survivalcodex.com/pages/library This document: https://survivalcodex.com/pages/library/cdc-about-heat-and-your-health Survival Codex: https://survivalcodex.com