Photo by Jim Havard on Flickr
The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for the whole region starting at noon today and going until 8 p.m., although if you’ve already had the pleasure of stepping outside today, I am not breaking any news to you.
Here are a few things you should and should not do today, for your health and that of others (as per the National Weather Service and DC Homeland Security):
- Stay indoors as much as possible.
- Turn on the air conditioner or fan.
- DO NOT leave children or pets in vehicles. (<–EXTREMELY IMPORTANT)
- Pay special attention to young children, the elderly and the mentally ill.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Wear light-colored, lightweight and loose-fitting clothes.
- Apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going outside (SPF 15-30 is best).
- Limit exposure to the sun (the sun is most powerful between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.).
- Watch for heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
- If you do not have access to a cool-temperature location, visit one of the District’s cooled indoor facilities referred to above.
The District of Columbia has issued its 2018 Heat Emergency Plan, which you can access by clicking here. The District has Cooling Centers up and running, but you can just go to a public library or a public pool in a pinch. As of last year, there was an interactive map, which you can still access by clicking here. Alternately, you can call United Planning Organization at (202) 399-7093 for additional resources. This post will keep updating as we encounter more heat advisories throughout the summer. UPDATED: Check out HSEMA’s list of Extreme Weather resources HERE.
Did I miss a resource? Let me know in the comments below.