INDIANAPOLIS — The Office of Public Health and Safety (OPHS) is encouraging residents to take steps to protect their health and the health of those around them during extreme heat periods. Residents are urged to:
• Stay hydrated.
• Check on relatives and neighbors, especially the elderly and those without access to air conditioning.
• Avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
• When outside, wear light, loose-fitting clothing and take frequent breaks in the shade or an air-conditioned room.
• Learn what the signs and symptoms are for heat exhaustion or heat stroke from the Indiana State Department of Health, found online at in.gov/isdh/23143 . Seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
• Look before you lock! Pay special attention when locking up vehicles to ensure no children or pets are left inside. Temperatures inside a car can become lethal in a matter of minutes.
• Bring pets indoors and ensure they have plenty of water to drink.
Residents looking for indoor locations to stay cool can visit open public buildings and Indy Parks facilities, though they may be operating with limited hours and capacity restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Residents are strongly encouraged to follow social distancing guidelines when visiting these locations and are required to wear masks in public beginning July 9.
OPHS also offers these severe weather safety and preparedness tips that can accompany extreme heat conditions:
• Pay attention to weather reports, thunderstorm warnings, and tornado condition alerts. Be ready to change plans if necessary.
• If a tornado warning is issued, find shelter immediately. Stay away from windows, doors, and outside walls. If driving, do not stop under an overpass or bridge. A low, flat location is safer.
• When thunder roars, go indoors. A sturdy building is the safest place to be during a thunderstorm.
• Secure any outside furniture to minimize any property damage from high winds.
• Avoid flooded roadways – turn around, don’t drown! Just six inches of fast-moving water can be hazardous.
• Stay away from downed power lines and trees and report them immediately. Report fallen power lines to IPL at 317-261-8111.
• Stay prepared ahead of severe storms by visiting redcross.org/prepare to develop a severe weather plan.