The majority of deaths during the 1995 Midwest heat wave were persons who were alone. Temperatures inside a closed vehicle can reach over 140 degrees Fahrenheit within minutes. Exposure to such high temperatures can kill in minutes. If your home does not have air conditioning, choose other places you go to get relief from the heat during the warmest part of the day. Schools, libraries, theaters, and other community facilities often provide air-conditioned refuge on the hottest days.
Air conditioning provides the safest escape from extreme heat.
During the 1995 Midwest heat wave, most deaths happened to people not in air conditioned locations. Plan changes in your daily activities to avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. Ill effects of heat can quickly overcome the healthiest people, if they perform strenuous work during the warmest parts of the day. Many heat emergencies are experienced by people exercising or working during the hottest part of the day. Drink plenty of fluids even if you do not feel thirsty.