Extreme Heat Tips, Information and Resources

Summer is here, which means we will be feeling the heat for the next few months. On extremely hot days, it's important to stay cool and safe. Below are some tips to do just that, including where to go if you need a place to hang out inside. 

Heat Safety Tips

Before (Preparedness)

• Drink plenty of fluids. Know your body and know what is normal.
• Stay inside and out of the heat. Reschedule outdoor activities, if possible.
• Never leave children, older adults or pets alone in a car.
• Dress in loose-fitting clothes that cover as much skin as possible. Lightweight, light-colored clothing reflects heat and sunlight and helps maintain normal body temperatures.

During (Response)

• Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to heat and sun.
• Visit indoor locations including our Cooling Centers listed below.
• Drink plenty of water or electrolyte sports drinks.
• Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day.
• Use a buddy system when working in extreme heat, have a phone handy and take frequent breaks.
• If you must exercise, consider indoor activities. If you must exercise outside, do so during cooler parts of the day, and drink extra fluids, use a buddy system, have a phone handy and reduce your level of effort.
• If you feel woozy, overheated or unwell, act immediately!
  • Stop any strenuous activity.
  • Get somewhere cool.
  • Drink something if you can.
  • Cool your skin by taking a cold bath or holding anything cold against your body.
  • Call someone for help or call 911 - do this before your condition compromises your critical thinking skills.
• Check on older neighbors and any neighbors without air conditioning.

After (Recovery)

• Consult a medical professional if a heat-related condition does not approve.
• Continue to drink plenty of water.

Cooling Centers

Visit indoor locations during operating hours to stay cool. In addition to shopping malls, stores or movie theaters, you may consider cooling off at one of our county facilities designated as Cooling Centers, including:

• Libraries
• Community Centers
• REC Centers
• Human Services Regional Offices
• Homeless shelters for people experiencing homelessness

You are encouraged to first check that locations are open before you arrive. 

Sign Up for Fairfax Alerts

Did you know that you can sign up for important emergency alerts and updates during a heat emergency? Fairfax Alerts can be sent via phone, text, email and more.

Subscriptions to select: 

• Emergency Alerts
• Severe Weather
  • Non-Precipitation
    • Excessive Heat Warning
    • Excessive Heat Watch
    • Heat Advisory
• Office to Prevent and End Homelessness 
  • Homelessness Resources and Information 

Additional Resources

• The extreme heat webpage provides information on cooling center locations, cooling assistance program, Fairfax Alerts, safety tips and more. 
• The Cooling Assistance Program helps keep vulnerable Fairfax County residents cool during the summer months. To be eligible, at least one household members must be: age 60 or older, 5 or younger or disabled according to Social Security, Medicaid or 100% Veteran’s Administration.
• The Transit Ridership Incentive Program provides half-fares on Fairfax Connector for unsheltered residents and those with limited income.
• Transportation Options, Programs & Services (TOPS) provides subsidized transportation funds on an easy-to-use debit card for eligible older adults, persons with disabilities, and those with limited income and connects riders with a variety of transportation options.
• Flyers containing information about cooling center locations, Fairfax Alerts and safety tips to beat the heat have been distributed at drop-in sites and other locations that provide services to unsheltered residents.
• We are seeing more extreme heat days per year as the climate changes. For information on how the county is adapting to “warmer, wetter, weirder” conditions, see the Resilient Fairfax Dashboard, the Resilient Fairfax plan and the Interactive Climate Map.
• Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) connects Fairfax County residents to county and community-based services and resources. Call 703-222-0880 for more information.
• Supplies will be available for those who need them and will be distributed through outreach workers and other partners who go into the community to check on unsheltered residents, shelters, drop-in centers and meal sites.