When outdoor temperatures reach dangerous levels, staying in air-conditioned spaces is the best way to stay cool. If you don’t have air conditioning, or if a power outage limits your access, there are still steps you can take to keep yourself cool and reduce your risk of heat-related illness.
Seek medical care immediately if you or someone else has symptoms of heat-related illness like dizziness, confusion, nausea, or vomiting.
- Cooling Centers: Fairfax County operates cooling centers during operating hours when the county’s Extreme Heat Plan is activated. These locations provide free, air‑conditioned relief for anyone who needs it. Hours and availability vary, so confirm the facility is open before you visit.
- Utilize Public Indoor Spaces: In addition to cooling centers, you can also visit other indoor public places with air conditioning. Consider walking inside a mall, enjoying a meal at a restaurant, having an iced drink at a café, or going to see a movie. Even spending a few hours in air conditioning can help lower your body temperature.
- Freeze Water Bottles and Ice Packs: Freeze bottled water to use as a cold compress by wrapping it in a towel and placing it against your body. You can also drink the cold water as it melts. Fill sealable plastic bags with water and freeze them for use as ice packs, always wrapping them in a towel before placing them on your skin.
- Hydrate Now: Begin increasing your water intake before temperatures rise. Eat foods with a high water content to help keep you hydrated, such as watermelon, strawberries, oranges, cucumbers, tomatoes, celery, and lettuce. If your healthcare provider has advised you to limit fluids due to a medical condition, follow their guidance and contact them with any concerns about staying safe in extreme heat.
- Take Cool Baths and Showers: Cool baths and showers can quickly lower your body temperature.
- Use Cooling Towels: Wet cloths or towels with cool water and place them on your head or neck to cool down. If you need to go out, bring a small cloth with you that you can wet in case you need to cool down quickly.
- Drink Cold Beverages: Regularly drink cold water or other non‑alcoholic, non‑caffeinated beverages to help cool your body from the inside.
- Prepare Your Home: Limit the use of heat‑producing appliances, such as ovens or stovetops. Keep blinds and curtains closed during the day to block out sunlight and reduce indoor temperatures.
- Make a Misting Fan: Spray cold water into a fan while it is running to lightly mist your skin and create evaporative cooling.
- Check On Others: Use a buddy system with friends, family, and neighbors. Check on people regularly, especially those who are older, living alone, or medically vulnerable, and ask them to check in on you.
- Don’t Rely Only on Fans: When temperatures are extremely high, electric fans may make you feel more comfortable but will not prevent heat‑related illness. Use fans along with other cooling strategies.
- Dress for the Heat: Wear lightweight, loose‑fitting and light‑colored clothing to stay cooler. Wear a wide-brimmed hat to keep your face and neck shaded.