As temperatures rise, so do the risks for heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Older adults, young children, outdoor workers, and people with chronic health conditions are especially at risk, but extreme heat can affect anyone. Knowing how to prepare, spot the warning signs, and take action can help you stay safe.

Understanding Heat Alerts

Fairfax County activates its heat response plan when the National Weather Service (NWS) issues a heat advisory, watch, or warning — usually about 24 hours in advance. These alerts are based on the heat index, which combines temperature and humidity to reflect how hot it actually feels outside.

• Heat Advisory: Dangerous heat is expected. Take precautions to stay cool and hydrated.
• Extreme Heat Watch: Hazardous heat is possible. Reschedule outdoor activities, and make sure children, older adults, pets, and service animals have access to cool shelter.
• Extreme Heat Warning: Dangerous heat is happening or about to happen. Avoid strenuous activity and direct sunlight. Stay indoors, if possible, drink plenty of fluids, and check on loved ones, pets, and service animals.

Heat-Related Illnesses: What to Watch For

Heat-related illnesses can come on quickly, so it’s important to know the signs and what to do.

• Heat Exhaustion:
  • Symptoms: Heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, cool or clammy skin, headache, muscle cramps.
  • What to Do: Move to a cooler spot (ideally indoors with air conditioning); apply cool, wet cloths to your body or take a cool bath; and sip water. Seek medical help if symptoms worsen, last more than an hour, or include vomiting.
• Heat Stroke:
  • Symptoms: Confusion, slurred speech, body temp above 103°F, red or dry skin, rapid pulse, fainting.
  • What to Do: Call 911 immediately. This is a medical emergency. Move the person to a cooler place, use cool cloths or a cold bath to lower body temperature, and avoid giving fluids unless told otherwise by a medical professional.
• Dehydration:
  • Symptoms: Dry mouth, fatigue, dizziness, dark-colored urine, muscle cramps.
  • What to Do: Sip water or electrolyte drinks to rehydrate. Avoid or limit caffeine and alcohol consumption, as these can be dehydrating.
• Heat Rash:
  • Symptoms: Clusters of red blisters in sweaty areas.
  • What to Do: Keep the area cool and dry. Avoid heavy creams or ointments that can trap heat.
• Heat Cramps:
  • Symptoms: Painful muscle cramps in the legs or abdomen, heavy sweating.
  • What to Do: Rest, sip water (unless you feel nauseated), and gently stretch or massage cramped muscles. If cramps last more than an hour, seek medical attention.
• Sunburns:
  • Symptoms: Red, painful skin that feels hot to the touch.
  • What to Do: Use sunscreen SPF 30+ to prevent sunburn, reapply often, and stay out of direct sunlight. For burns, take cool baths, apply aloe vera, and stay hydrated. Seek medical care if blisters or fever occur.

Take Steps to Stay Safe in the Heat

When summer temperatures are high, you can protect yourself by following these Do’s and Don’ts:

• Do:
  • Drink water regularly. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty!
  • Wear loose, light-color clothing and a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Stay indoors during the hottest part of the day, about 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Use sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30+ and reapply often.
  • Identify air-conditioned places you can go to stay cool.
• Don’t:
  • Leave people or animals in parked cars.
  • Rely solely on a fan.
  • Exercise or do other strenuous activity outdoors during extremely high temperatures.
  • Drink alcohol or sugary drinks.

Fairfax County and its partners offer several programs to help you and your loved ones beat the heat:

• Senior Cool Care Program: The Senior Cool Care Program is a program that helps low-income older residents in our jurisdiction keep cool during summer months. This program does not provide financial assistance, but it provides additional cooling at home by providing fans for eligible older adults, age 60 and older.
• Cooling Assistance Program: The Cooling Assistance program helps keep Fairfax County residents cool during the summer months through financial assistance for paying electric bills, repairing central air conditioning systems, purchasing a whole-house fan, and more. To be eligible, at least one household member must be: 60 or older; 5 or younger; or disabled according to Social Security, Medicaid or 100% Veteran’s Administration.
• Cooling Centers: Visit indoor air-conditioned locations during operating hours to stay cool. In addition to shopping malls, stores or movie theaters, you may consider cooling off at one of our county facilities designated as Cooling Centers, including libraries, community centers, REC centers, Human Services regional offices, and homeless shelters. Check that locations are open before you arrive.
• Public Pools: The county operates several pools, which are open to the public.

Considerations for Medical Conditions

High heat can worsen existing medical conditions like heart disease and respiratory illness. Some medications, such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, and certain heart medicines, can make it harder for your body to cool down. Other medications, such as insulin, can be damaged by heat and lose their effectiveness. Diuretics can have a dehydrating effect. Talk to your healthcare provider about how heat may affect your condition and medicine.

• As you sweat, you can lose important salt and minerals from your body. Talk with your doctor about how you can safely restore lost salt and minerals from heavy sweating.
• Caretakers of individuals with chronic conditions should monitor whether the individual is drinking enough water, showing signs of heat stress, knows how to keep cool, and knows where and how to access air conditioning.

High heat also comes with other health considerations:

• Mental Health: High temperatures can increase stress, anxiety, irritability, and other negative feelings. Check in with your loved ones and neighbors. The county’s Community Services Board offers mental health services. Check out resources.
• Animals (including Service Animals): If temperatures are unsafe for you, then temperatures are unsafe for pets and service animals. Never leave pets in cars or on hot pavement. To report a pet in a hot vehicle, you can call Animal Protection Police at 703-691-2131. Make sure that they have constant access to fresh water and bring service animals and pets indoors during extreme heat. Certain animals such as short-nosed dogs and cats, senior animals, and those with heart or lung conditions are more affected by heat. Look out for symptoms of overheating, such as excessive panting, difficulty breathing, increased heart rate, or weakness. Learn more emergency preparedness tips for animals.
• Outdoor Workers: Wear breathable gear and take frequent breaks, as possible. Limit heat exposure by taking frequent breaks in cool or shaded areas, trying to work in the shade, and staying hydrated by drinking lots of water.

To learn more about extreme heat and available county resources, visit the Department of Emergency Management and Security’s extreme heat webpage.