Heat Stroke, Call 911, Heat Exhaustion, Cool Off, Drink
If you suspect heat stroke, call 911 or take the person to a hospital immediately; the signs of heat stroke are an extremely high body temperature (above 103°F, about 39.4°C), red, hot and dry skin with no sweat, a rapid, strong pulse, and dizziness, confusion or unconsciousness. With signs of heat exhaustion or heat cramps, go to a cooler location, remove extra clothing and take sips of a sports drink or water; if symptoms get worse or last more than an hour, call your health care provider.
Ready.gov says extreme heat causes the most deaths each year of any weather-related hazard. This article follows Ready.gov’s extreme heat page: what to do before and during extreme heat, and the signs of three heat-related illnesses and what to do about them.
Before extreme heat
Ready.gov explains (Ready.gov extreme heat):
- Know the signs: learn to recognize the signs of heat illnesses.
- Fans: don’t rely on a fan as your main way to cool down.
- Places to cool off: find places in your community where you can go to get cool, such as libraries or shopping malls, or ask your local health department.
- Home: block the sun with drapes or shades, seal gaps with weather-stripping and add insulation; use window covers that reflect heat and a powered attic fan; insulate around window air conditioners.
- Cooling costs: if you can’t afford cooling costs, weatherization or energy-related home repairs, contact the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for help.
During extreme heat
- Cars: never leave people or pets in a closed car on a warm day.
- Cooling centers: if you don’t have air conditioning at home, find a cooling center.
- Cooling off: take showers or baths, wear light, loose clothing, and cook less to keep the heat down indoors.
- Avoiding the sun: stay out of the sun when you can and wear a wide-brimmed hat; limit strenuous outdoor work at midday.
- Drinking: drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
- Checking on others: check on family members, older adults and neighbors.
- Pets: give pets cool water and shade; asphalt and dark pavement can be very hot on their feet.
Three heat-related illnesses
- Signs of heat stroke: extremely high body temperature (above 103°F, about 39.4°C); red, hot, dry skin with no sweat; a rapid, strong pulse; dizziness, confusion or unconsciousness.
- What to do for heat stroke: if you suspect heat stroke, call 911 or take the person to a hospital immediately. If possible, move the person to a cool, shaded area and remove outer clothing; put a cold, wet cloth or ice pack on the head, neck, armpits and groin, or soak their clothing with cool water; raise their feet.
- Signs of heat exhaustion: heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, a fast or weak pulse, dizziness, headache, fainting, nausea and vomiting.
- Signs of heat cramps: muscle pain or spasms in the stomach, arms or legs.
- What to do for heat exhaustion and heat cramps: go to a cooler location, remove extra clothing and take sips of a sports drink or water; if symptoms get worse or last more than an hour, call your health care provider.
For how to use 911 and other emergency numbers, see Call 911 in Emergencies, 988 for Mental Health, 211 for Help; for how to read the air quality index, see AQI Over 100 Means Sensitive Groups Take Care, Check AirNow.
What this article did not check
- Where the cooling centers are where you live: this article did not check; Ready.gov suggests asking your local health department.
- LIHEAP eligibility and how to apply: this article did not check.
- What to do if the power goes out: Ready.gov has a separate power outage page, which this article did not check.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell heat stroke from heat exhaustion?
Ready.gov lists the signs of heat stroke as a body temperature above 103°F and red, hot, dry skin with no sweat; heat exhaustion brings heavy sweating, paleness and weakness, among others. If you suspect heat stroke, call 911 right away.
There’s no air conditioning at home. Is a fan enough?
Ready.gov says not to rely on a fan as your main way to cool down; if you don’t have air conditioning at home, find a cooling center.
I’m just running into a store. Can I leave my child or dog in the car?
No. Ready.gov says never leave people or pets in a closed car on a warm day.
When should I contact a health care provider about heat exhaustion?
If symptoms get worse or last more than an hour.
Sources and dates checked
All checked on 2026-10-31.
- Ready.gov, Extreme Heat (page updated 2026-07-16):https://www.ready.gov/heat