Epidemiology: Occupational and Environmental
Summer Heat Emergency Data and Prevention Tips
Heat Health Alert System - Sign up here!
The Heat Health Alert System is a system the NC Climate and Health team uses to send out heat alerts via email, when the forecast is projected to reach unhealthy levels. You can sign up for heat health alerts and find additional information below.
Sign up for the heat health alert system here:
- Survey in English: https://survey.dph.ncdhhs.gov/surveys/?s=J3M84LKNAPN838AA
- Survey in Spanish: https://survey.dph.ncdhhs.gov/surveys/?s=4KANHM37AWA3LXW7
Frequently Asked Questions about the Heat Health Alert System:
Learn about heat index thresholds for the Heat Health Alert System: Current Heat Index Thresholds
Sample Messages
The sample messages and graphics below can be used to share heat alerts and heat safety tips with your loved ones, community, or organization. Follow the guidelines below for message compatibility across communication platforms. Click on the graphics in the left column to download.
Written samples below are compatible with X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, email, etc.
Sample Post
The heat index is going to reach unhealthy levels this week. Remember to protect yourself! Stay cool and drink plenty of water. For more information, visit https://epi.dph.ncdhhs.gov/oee/climate/heat.html
Sample Post
El índice de calor alcanzará niveles peligrosos para la salud esta semana. ¡Acuérdate de protegerte! Mantente fresco y bebe mucha agua. Para más información visita la página: https://epi.dph.ncdhhs.gov/oee/climate/heat.html
Sample Post
The heat index is going to reach unhealthy levels this week. Drink lots of water, take frequent breaks and avoid outdoor activity from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit https://epi.dph.ncdhhs.gov/oee/climate/heat.html
Sample Post
El índice de calor alcanzará niveles peligrosos para la salud esta semana. Bebe mucha agua, toma descansos frecuentes y evita la actividad al aire libre entre las 11 am y 4 pm. Para más información visita la página: https://epi.dph.ncdhhs.gov/oee/climate/heat.html
Sample Post
The heat index is dangerously high this week. Know the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness and call 911 if there is an emergency. For more information, Click here.
Sample Post
El índice de calor es peligrosamente alto esta semana. Conoce los signos y síntomas de las enfermedades relacionadas con el calor y llama al 911 en caso de emergencia. Para más información visita la página
Written messages below are compatible with Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, email, etc.
Sample Post
The heat index is going to reach unhealthy levels this week. Be sure to check on your loved ones and neighbors, especially people over the age of 65, pregnant, have underlying health conditions, have a disability, live alone or don’t have air-conditioning.
- Help them find a cool place like a library, church or another neighbor’s home
- Encourage them to drink plenty of water
- Know the signs of heat-related illness and call 911 if there is an emergency
Sample Post
El índice de calor alcanzará niveles peligrosos para la salud esta semana. Asegúrate de vigilar a tus seres queridos y vecinos, sobre todo a las personas mayores, las que viven solas o las que no tienen aire acondicionado.
- Ayúdales a encontrar un lugar fresco, como una biblioteca, una iglesia o la casa de otro vecino
- Anímalos a beber mucha agua.
Conoce los síntomas de las enfermedades relacionadas con el calor y llama al 911 en caso de emergencia.
Sample Post
The heat index is going to be dangerously high this week and it won’t cool down much at night. Warm nighttime temperatures can increase your risk of heat illness because your body can’t recover from the day’s heat. If you don’t have air conditioning, use ice packs or frozen water bottles to help you cool off overnight and drink plenty of water throughout the day, even before you start to feel thirsty. For more information, click here
Sample Post
El índice de calor será peligrosamente alto esta semana y no refrescará mucho por la noche. Las altas temperaturas durante la noche pueden aumentar el riesgo de enfermedades relacionadas con el calor, ya que el cuerpo no puede recuperarse del calor del día. Si no tienes aire acondicionado, utiliza bolsas de hielo o botellas de agua congelada para refrescarte durante la noche y bebe mucha agua a lo largo del día, incluso antes de empezar a tener sed. Para más información visita la página
- North Carolina Heat Report: July 14-20, 2024 (PDF, 2.8 MB)
- North Carolina Heat Report: July 7-13, 2024 (PDF, 2.62 MB)
- North Carolina Heat Report: June 30-July 6, 2024 (PDF, 2.85 MB)
- North Carolina Heat Report: June 23-29, 2024 (PDF, 2.80 MB)
- North Carolina Heat Report: June 16-22, 2024 (PDF, 2.54 MB)
- North Carolina Heat Report: June 9-15, 2024 (PDF, 2.75 MB)
- North Carolina Heat Report: June 2-8, 2024 (PDF, 2.64 MB)
- North Carolina Heat Report: May 26-June 1, 2024 (PDF, 2.6 MB)
- North Carolina Heat Report: May 19-24, 2024 (PDF, 1.10 MB)
- North Carolina Heat Report: May 12-18, 2024 (PDF, 1.7 MB)
- North Carolina Heat Report: May 5-11, 2024 (PDF, 2.3 MB)
- North Carolina Heat Report: May 1-4, 2024 (PDF, 1.9 MB)
- North Carolina Heat Report: 2023 Summary (PDF, 600 KB)
- North Carolina Heat Report: 2022 Summary (PDF, 782 KB)
- North Carolina Heat Report: 2021 Summary (PDF, 779 KB)
- North Carolina Heat Report: 2020 Summary (PDF, 475 KB)
- Increase fluid intake
- Spend some time in cool or air-conditioned environment
- Reduce normal activity levels
- If you take medicines that can impede heat loss, speak with your physician before summer about how to stay safe (i.e. high blood pressure drugs, migraine drugs, allergy drugs, muscle spasm drugs, mental illness drugs, tranquilizers)
Many poor air quality days occur on hot days. Learn about the Air Quality Forecast System and how to protect your health. Get free air quality forecasts from Enviroflash.
- How to Beat the Heat Without AC (Graphic, English) (PDF, 221 KB)
- How to Beat the Heat Without AC (Graphic, Spanish) (PDF, 223 KB)
- Keep cool in the heat (trifold, English).pdf (PDF, 831 KB)
- Keep cool in the heat (trifold, Spanish).pdf (PDF, 774 KB)
- Stay Safe During Summer Heat (Foldable Card, English).pdf (PDF, 1.2 MB)
- Stay Safe During Summer Heat (Foldable Card, Spanish).pdf (PDF, 1.2 MB)
- Tips for Staying Cool and Wearing a Mask in Summer (Postcard, English) (PDF, 2.6 MB)
- Tips for Staying Cool and Wearing a Mask in Summer (Postcard, Spanish) (PDF, 2.7 MB)
- Stay COVID Safe During Summer Heat (Flyer, English) (PDF, 86 KB)
- Stay COVID Safe During Summer Heat (Flyer, Spanish) (PDF, 71 KB)
- CDC: Extreme Heat: A Prevention Guide to Promote Your Personal Health and Safety
- CDC Features: Extreme Heat: Keep Your Cool in Hot Weather
- EPA: Climate Change and Extreme Heat: What You Can Do to Prepare
- Health Officials Encourage Caution as Temperatures Rise
- Heat Safety Tips for Athletes and Coaches (PDF, 412 KB)
- How Older Adults Can Protect Themselves from Air Pollution and Heat (PDF, 1.4 MB)
- N.C. DHHS Provides Heat Tips for People with Diabetes
- New York Times Article: Heed These Tips to Prevent Overheating this Summer
- Proclamation by Governor Cooper: August 2018 is Heat Safety Awareness Month (PDF, 528 KB)
- Workplace Heat Safety Tips (PDF, 313 KB)
Last Modified: July 25, 2024