The first day of summer may not be until June 21, but you can expect the daytime temperatures in Tuscaloosa to heat up long before that.
Extreme heat is when the temperature rises above 90 degrees with high humidity for a period of three or more days. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, just over 700 deaths occur each year in the United States due to heat.
While we’ve all heard that we should drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, here are some other tips to help you beat the heat.
- Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
- Stay in an air-conditioned building during the peak heating hours of the day. If your home doesn’t have air conditioning, find a cool place to spend the day.
- Don’t rely on a fan. While fans are great for moving the air, they don’t cool it or reduce body temperature.
- Cover windows with drapes or shades to keep out the heat.
- If you must be outside, take frequent breaks and find shade. Wear a hat with a brim wide enough to protect your face.
- If you exercise outdoors, do so in the early morning or late evening.
- Watch for signs of heat illness, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion or heat stroke in yourself, family members and friends.
- Never leave pets or people in a closed car on a warm day.
Visit ready.gov for more tips on staying safe in hot weather.
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, June 7, at 11:55 a.m.