Extreme heat combined with a power outage: what to do?

Extreme heat plus a power outage is a serious combination: without air conditioning or fans, indoor temperatures can climb quickly, especially in apartments and upper floors. The goal is to stay cool, hydrated, and connected to help until electricity returns.

What is happening

When the power fails during a heat wave, your home loses active cooling. Heat builds up indoors, and the risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke rises, particularly for older adults, infants, and people with heart or lung conditions. Plan for the possibility that the outage lasts hours or longer.

Emergency warning

Call your local emergency services immediately if someone has a high body temperature with confusion, fainting, hot dry skin, or is not sweating. These can be signs of heat stroke, which is life-threatening. While waiting for help, move the person to a cooler place and cool them with cool water or wet cloths.

What to do first

1. Close windows and cover them. During the day, keep windows shut and draw shades, curtains, or hang light-colored blankets to block sun. Open windows at night if it is cooler outside and safe to do so.
2. Choose the coolest space. Move to the lowest floor or basement if available. Use one room as your base and avoid using heat-producing appliances like ovens or stoves.
3. Hydrate regularly. Drink water throughout the day, even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and sugary or caffeinated drinks.
4. Use safe cooling methods. Take cool showers or sponge baths. Wear loose, light clothing. A damp cloth on the neck and wrists helps. Do not use a generator, camp stove, or charcoal grill indoors, in a garage, or near windows: they produce deadly carbon monoxide.
5. Check on others. Call or visit older neighbors, people with disabilities, and anyone living alone. Infants and older adults may not show early signs of heat illness.

What NOT to do

• Do not rely on a fan alone in extreme heat; fans do not prevent heat illness when indoor temperatures are very high.
• Do not leave children or pets in a parked car, even for a minute.
• Do not run a generator or fuel-burning device indoors or in an attached garage.
• Do not ignore symptoms like dizziness, nausea, headache, or muscle cramps; act early.
• Do not open the refrigerator or freezer often; keep food cold as long as possible.

When to seek help

Seek medical advice if you or someone else has heat cramps that do not improve with rest and fluids, or heat exhaustion symptoms such as heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, or headache. Move to a cool place, loosen clothing, and sip water. If symptoms worsen or do not improve within an hour, get medical help. Call emergency services for any sign of heat stroke.

What to monitor

Watch indoor temperature if you have a thermometer. Check on people in your household regularly for confusion, irritability, or unusual tiredness. Keep a battery-powered radio or phone charged for outage updates and heat alerts.

How to prevent it

Before a heat wave, identify nearby cooling centers, libraries, or shopping malls. Keep extra water, battery-powered fans, and a first-aid kit ready. If your home becomes too hot, leave for an air-conditioned place and do not wait until you feel unwell.

This is general information and not a substitute for professional medical advice. In an emergency, call your local emergency services.