What You Need To Know
With extreme heat forecasted to begin on July 14th, NJDOH is sharing new resources and information and including previously shared educational materials intended to prevent heat related illnesses and deaths among NJ residents.
Key Messages for LHDs, Healthcare Providers, Government Officials to Inform Residents
- Check in on neighbors, family, older adults, and those who have health conditions and/or are on certain medications that can make them more susceptible to heat-related illness and heat-related deaths.
- Know who is most susceptible to heat-related illness and heat-related deaths.
Ø People older than 65
Ø People who live alone
Ø Unhoused people
Ø People without access to air conditioning
Ø People with chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory disease)
Ø People on certain medications (e.g., diuretics, some antipsychotic medications, some antidepressants, some antihypertensive agents)
Ø Outdoor workers
Ø Infants and children
- Never leave infants, children, people with disabilities, elderly persons, or pets in a parked car. Cracked windows won't protect anyone from suffering from heat stroke, or even worse, during hot summer days. It only takes two minutes for a car to reach unsafe temperatures. Always check to make sure all children and pets are out of the car before locking it and walking away.
- Share information on cooling centers https://nj211.org/nj-cooling-centers and encourage people without air conditioning or vulnerable populations to visit the website or call NJ 2-1-1 to find or help someone find a cooling center.
- Stay hydrated. Drink more water than usual and drink before you get thirsty. When working or being active in the heat, drink about one quart of water per hour.
New: Resources for Heat-Related Illness Prevention
- Visit the Heat-Related Illness Dashboard to learn the number of people who went to an NJ emergency department during the last heat wave and other important statistics. nj.gov/health/ceohs/home/hri_dashboard.shtml
- Data from the most recent heat wave shows the highest number of visits were among 25- to 49-year-olds followed by those aged 65 and older. Heat-related illness can affect everyone. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are extremely dangerous and can be life-threatening.
- While more urban counties had a high number of visits, there were residents throughout all counties who sought medical attention at a NJ emergency department for heat-related illness. Heat-related illness requiring medical attention can occur in urban and rural parts of NJ, including the NJ shore.
- A majority of NJ emergency department visits for heat-related illness were male.