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Summer Heat Safety

Updated July 23, 2026

What was the Situation?

How to Stay Safe

Change Your Activity Level and Hydrate

  • Do less physical activity during heat. Move to the shade.
  • Limit outdoor activities to before 11am or after 6pm because it is cooler.
  • Stop all activity and get to a cool place if you feel faint or weak.
  • Monitor children and others who rely on you to keep them cool and hydrated.
  • Drink plenty of water before you go out in the heat.
  • By the time you feel thirsty you are already starting to be dehydrated.
  • While exposed to heat, drink 3/4 to 1 quart of water per hour. This is about 2 standard water bottles every hour.

Plan Ways to Keep Cool at Home

  • Prepare for a heat event.
  • Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun.
  • Cool your body down quickly by wearing a wet scarf, bandana, or shirt.
  • Try to avoid using the oven.

Never Leave Kids or Pets in a Parked Car

Even if the windows are cracked open, it only takes a few minutes for a small body to overheat. This can lead to severe medical problems and even death.

Check on Neighbors, Family, and Friends in the Heat

When the temperature is above 90 degrees certain populations are more at risk for heat-related illness.

Before a heat event:

  • Get to know your neighbors.
  • Make a plan for how you will support each other.
  • Know the signs of heat-related illness.

During heat, check in with:

  • People who work or live outside
  • People in homes without air conditioning
  • Adults over age 65
  • Children
  • Individuals with health conditions

What to ask:

  • Do you have an air conditioner? Is it running?
  • Do you have a cool place to sleep and sit?
  • Are you drinking a cup of water every hour?
  • Do you have enough food, supplies, ice, and medicine?
  • Can I pick something up for you? Can I run an errand for you?
  • Are you alone? Is someone staying with you?
  • Do you have a family member you can stay with for a few days? Can I help put you in touch?
If you know of someone who is unable to understand, see, or hear this message, please tell them about it. You can also call the Customer Service Bureau for help understanding this page: 206-684-CITY (2489) and TTY 7-1-1.

What We Do During a Heat Wave

Call 211 if you need to find resources during a heat wave. WA 211 service provides free, confidential referrals to community resources.

Respond to Heat-Related Fires and Emergencies

The Seattle Fire Department (SFD) will be prepared to respond to heat-related medical emergencies and fires.

You can help:

  • Prevent brush fires by properly discarding of smoking materials.
  • Ensure that your vehicle does not cause sparks on roadways that could ignite a fire.
  • Call 911 if you see someone suffering from heat stroke (body temperature above 103 degrees, nausea or vomiting, loss of consciousness, rapid and strong pulse, throbbing headache/confusion, hot skin and no sweating.)

Health One Team

The SFD Health One team will operate during heat events from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day coordinating transport of some individuals to cooling spaces, and providing outreach to clients the unit serves. SFD Health One supports other outreach partners who are working around the clock in a heat event. All Health One rigs are supplied with ice, cold beverages, and other items for heat emergencies.

Repairing and Preventing Road Damage

Extreme heat can damage roads. Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) crews are standing ready to respond to road damage from heat.

In hot weather, SDOT sprays cool water on the Ballard, Fremont, and University draw bridges to reduce the likelihood of movable steel parts expanding and getting stuck. When this occurs, each bridge will be closed for a few minutes at a time throughout the day (similar to the length of a normal draw bridge opening).