Summertime in Alabama means hot temperatures.
According to the National Weather Service, July and August are the hottest months in Tuscaloosa, with the average high temperature being above 93 degrees each month.
When the temperature rises above 90 degrees with high humidity for a period of three or more days, that is considered extreme heat. Extreme heat is responsible for the highest number of annual deaths among all weather-related hazards.
Everyone is vulnerable to heat, but it can especially affect young children and infants, the elderly, people with chronic health conditions and people who are pregnant.
Here are some tips to help you prepare for extreme heat:
- Try to stay in an air-conditioned building during the peak heating hours of the day.
- Avoid high-energy outdoor activities during the midday heat. Exercise outdoors in the early morning or late evening.
- Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
- If you must be outside, take frequent breaks and find shade.
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
- Cover your windows with drapes or shades to keep out the heat.
- Check on your friends and family.
- Watch for signs of heat illness, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
- Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device. While fans are great for moving air, they do not reduce body temperature or prevent heat-related illnesses.
- If you do not have air conditioning in your home, identify places in the community where you can go to stay cool.
- Consider your pets when the temperatures rise. Make sure they have plenty of cool water and shade.
- Never leave a pet or a child in a locked car in the heat.
Visit Ready.gov for more tips on staying safe in the heat.
Safety Reminder: UA Alert System Test
Weather permitting, the University will test its emergency notification systems, including UA Alerts, the public address system and digital signage, Wednesday, July 6, at 11:55 a.m