How to Stay Cool When the AC Isn't Enough: Heat Wave Survival Tips
When a serious heat dome settles in, air conditioning is your first line of defense. But AC units break down, power outages happen, and not everyone has access to a well-cooled space. When the temperature inside your home starts climbing, knowing what to do next can be a matter of safety.
Optimize Your AC
Set your thermostat to 78 degrees or below and keep it there consistently rather than cycling it on and off. A fan alone does not cool the air, but running a ceiling or box fan while the AC is on helps circulate cooled air more efficiently, making the system work less hard.
Close blinds and curtains on south- and west-facing windows during the day. Direct sunlight streaming through glass can significantly raise a room's temperature, even with the AC running. Blackout curtains can drop indoor temperatures by up to 20 degrees compared to uncovered windows.
Avoid using the oven or stove during peak heat hours. Cooking adds heat and humidity to your indoor environment, forcing your AC to compensate.
When AC is Unavailable or Failing
The human body cools itself primarily through sweating. To support that process, stay hydrated even before you feel thirsty. By the time thirst kicks in, you are already mildly dehydrated, which reduces your body's ability to regulate temperature.
Apply cool, wet cloths to your wrists, neck, and the back of your knees. These areas have large blood vessels close to the skin, and cooling them helps lower your overall body temperature faster.
Take cool showers or baths (not ice cold). Very cold water can cause blood vessels to constrict, slowing cooling. Lukewarm water is more effective.
Spend the hottest hours of the day in air-conditioned public spaces. Libraries, shopping malls, movie theaters, and cooling centers operated by local governments are all options. Many cities open official cooling centers during extreme heat events, so check your local emergency management website or call 211.
Who is Most at Risk
People over 65, infants and young children, people with cardiovascular or respiratory conditions, and those taking certain medications (including diuretics, antihistamines, and blood pressure medications) face significantly higher risk during heat waves. Check on vulnerable neighbors and family members daily.
Never leave anyone in a parked vehicle, even for a moment. A car's interior temperature can spike to dangerous levels within minutes.
Know the Warning Signs
Heat exhaustion symptoms include heavy sweating, weakness, cold or pale skin, a fast but weak pulse, nausea, and possible fainting. Move to a cool place, apply cool cloths, and sip water.
Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Warning signs include a body temperature above 103 degrees, hot, red skin, a rapid, strong pulse, and possible unconsciousness. Call 911 immediately.
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