The National Weather Service has issued a heat warning from Monday (8/14) through at least Wednesday (8/16). Temperatures are expected to reach from the upper 80s through the mid 90s across King County. Night time temperatures may remain very warm in some parts of the county. Without cooling at night, there is more risk of health problems.
Hot weather increases the chance of wildfires. Please check AirNow.gov or pscleanair.org for the latest air quality reports.
Please share information about how to stay safe in the heat with your networks.
Heat
Some people are at higher risk for serious health problems like stroke, kidney failure, and heart attacks in hot weather. Anyone in these groups should be extra careful to stay cool, drink water, and take breaks if they’re feeling overheated:
- Adults age 65 and older
- Young children (especially at high risk in parked cars)
- People with chronic health conditions or mental illness (some medications affect how your body deals with heat)
- People living unsheltered or living homeless
- Outdoor workers
- Athletes who exercise outdoors
Recognize heat exhaustion
Some people might be more sensitive, even if temperatures are in the 80s. Pay attention to how you’re feeling and make sure you drink plenty of water. If your body isn’t able to cool itself quickly enough, symptoms of heat exhaustion include: muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, and vomiting.
If you have these symptoms, move to the shade or indoors, put your feet up and rest, and drink plenty of water.
Warning signs of dangerous health problems in the heat
Heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, which can cause death or permanent disability unless treated immediately. If anyone has these symptoms of heat stroke, call 9-1-1 and move the person to a cool place immediately:
- An extremely high body temperature (above 103°F)
- Red, hot, and dry skin
- Rapid, strong pulse
- Nausea, confusion and unconsciousness
And also pay attention to how young children, older loved ones, and pets are doing. NEVER leave them in a parked car in warmer weather. Cars can get dangerously hot in seconds when temperatures are in the upper 70s and low 80s.
Tips for staying cool when you don’t have air conditioning
Please share posts for our blog about heat (you are also welcome to repurpose it in your own newsletters, blogs and emails):
- No AC? Can’t open your windows? Here’s how to stay cool. – PUBLIC HEALTH INSIDER
- No tiene aire acondicionado? ¿No puede abrir las ventanas? A continuación, le indicamos cómo mantenerse refrescado. – PUBLIC HEALTH INSIDER
Visit kingcounty.gov/BeatTheHeat for more tips on staying cool in the heat. (Information available in many languages.)
Resources
“Stay Safe in the heat” comic strip
Public Health’s blog has illustrated information as a comic strip to help people know who is at higher risk, how to recognize heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and tips for staying cool. This blog is also available in Spanish.
- Download the “Stay Safe in the Heat” comic strip in multiple languages: English, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, French, Korean, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Ukrainian, Vietnamese
Get all the updates from King County
Follow the King County Emergency News blog for emerging information about cooling centers and other services to deal with the heat and other emergencies.
*For the quickest updates on critical life-safety information, please encourage enrollment in ALERT King County and ALERT Seattle for timely alerts via text/email.*
Thank you for helping keep our communities safe!
From us at King County Public Health
