EXTREME HOT WEATHER

The City of Madison is urging people to protect themselves from the dangerous heat and humidity.

Air-conditioning is the number one protective factor against heat-related illness and death. During conditions of extreme heat, spend time in locations with air-conditioning such as shopping malls, Madison Senior Center, public libraries, and other public buildings.

View the map of city facility locations that have air-conditioning or might bring you relief from the heat. Use the map to find locations and hours of operation. Before traveling to a location, please confirm that it is open. See Printable List »

For those who cannot access public transportation and need help getting to a cool, public place, call United Way
2-1-1 by dialing 2-1-1 or (608)246-4357 to get connected with local transportation options.

For those looking for a heat wave cooling center in Madison, the Catholic Municultural Center, 2862 Beld Street is open. Go to Ready Wisconsin for other locations in Dane County and State of Wisconsin.

Be a good neighbor

The City would like to encourage everyone to be a good neighbor. Check in on elderly and disabled neighbors. Extreme heat can be very dangerous for them, and some might be shy or unable to ask for help. So please risk being a nosy neighbor. It will make this situation a lot less risky for them.

Message from Mayor Paul Soglin Regarding the Severe Heat

An extended period of hot and humid weather will mean extra precautions for residents to stay safe and healthy.

The weather forecast calls for some very warm temperatures in the coming days. One of the most important things we should all keep in mind is to keep watch on friends and neighbors who may not have air conditioning. Please check on elderly neighbors and if possible, invite them to your home.

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Madison Fire Recommendations

View Precautions to Stay Safe and Healthy.
Emergency Burning Restrictions have been issued for Dane County.
Wave of Grass Fires Continues - As dry weather continues, City of Madison firefighters are responding to an average of 3-5 grass fires every day.

An extended period of hot and humid weather will mean extra precautions for residents to stay safe and healthy.

Air-conditioning is the number one protective factor against heat-related illness and death. During conditions of extreme heat, spend time in locations with air-conditioning such as shopping malls, public libraries, senior centers and other public buildings.

Older adults and young children are particularly susceptible to extreme heat. If you are 65 years of age or older, have a friend or relative call to check on you twice a day during a heat wave. If you know someone in this age group, check on them at least twice a day.

To protect your health when temperatures are extremely high, remember to keep cool and use common sense. The following tips are important:

Drink plenty of cool fluids - alcohol and drinks with large amounts of sugar can actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Very cold drinks can cause stomach cramps.
Replace salt and minerals lost from heavy sweating with a sports beverage that can replace them.
Wear appropriate clothing - lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting.
Sunburn affects your body's ability to cool itself and causes a loss of body fluids - protect yourself with a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher.
If you must be outdoors, try to limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours. Try to rest often in shady areas so that your body's thermostat will have a chance to recover.
If exertion in the heat makes your heart pound and leaves you gasping for breath, STOP all activity. Get into a cool area or at least into the shade, and rest, especially if you become lightheaded, confused, weak, or faint.
NEVER leave children or pets in cars - even in cool temperatures, cars can heat up to dangerous temperatures very quickly. Anyone left inside is at risk for serious heat-related illnesses or even death.
Know the symptoms of heat disorders (heatstroke, heat exhaustion, cramping) and overexposure to the sun, and be ready to give first aid treatment.
Consider the heat index when planning outdoor activities. A heat index of 105 degrees means the combination of heat and humidity puts individuals at serious risk for heat-related health concerns.

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Beat the Heat in Madison Parks

Water related activities in Madison Parks are one way to help people cool down.

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Symptoms of Heat-Related Illness and What to Do

Heat Cramps - cramps or muscle spasms in the abdomen, arms or legs.
Solution: Stop activity. Cool down, drink clear juice or sports drink.
Heat Exhaustion - heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, fainting.
Solution: Cool down, seek medical attention.
Heat Stroke - extremely high body temperature, red, hot, dry skin, rapid pulse, throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, unconsciousness.
Solution: Call 911 and cool the victim with shower or hose until help arrives.

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Public Health Recommendations

Don't Let the Heat Beat You:
Safety Hints that can Help Avoid Serious Problems
Extreme Heat is Dangerous:
Strenuous Non-essential Outdoor Activities should be Postponed or Canceled

Every year at this time there are numerous news stories about the heat, offering solid advice on what to do when the weather gets very hot and humid. We hear these stories so often that many of us stop paying attention. But during the next week there will be five or six days when the temperature will be over 90 degrees so there are a few very important basics beyond the usual advice about staying cool and hydrated.

Here are three simple points to keep in mind.

Check in on elderly and disabled neighbors. Extreme heat can be very dangerous for them, and some might be shy or unable to ask for help. So please risk being a nosy neighbor. It will make this situation a lot less risky for them.
Don't push yourself or your kids too far with outdoor physical activities. Heatstroke can sneak up on you quickly, and it often requires a trip to the emergency room.
Do not leave your kids or your pets in a car, even with the motor and air conditioner running. A stalled engine will produce dangerously high temperatures very quickly, putting a child or pet at risk for brain damage and death. On hot or warm days, it's best to leave your pet at home, and to always take your child with you - no matter how short you think your errand will be.

If you see a parked car with a child or pet left alone, call 911 and don't leave until help arrives.

During this extreme heat, please watch out for yourself and pay attention to those around you.

There are many more details and precautions that you should be familiar with. For more information on the impact of heat on people, check the following links:

For more information on heatstroke in animals.

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