Heat Event Center

The Department of Public Health and the Human Services Agency have now integrated the Neighborhood Empowerment Network’s HUBs as part of the City’s response to Heat Events in San Francisco. Below are frequently asked questions about heatwaves, organized by language.

Message from DPH: When temperatures in San Francisco exceed 80 degrees F, it is important that our residents, and their support network, take steps to ensure their health. You can prepare for the heat by pulling the shades down during the day and keeping the windows open at night. Drink water and try to keep out of the sun. When it is very hot outside, stay inside, preferably in places with air conditioning. For relief from the heat, consider visiting a community center, movie theater, congregation, public library, swimming pool, local recreation center or shaded park.

Message from the NEN:  During events, such as heatwaves, residents are more likely to safely negotiate the hazard if they are prepared and are being supported by a network of neighbors, friends and associates.  Please review the information below and take the time to get yourself ready and then reach out and check on the folks who may need your support.

For more information, please view the content on this site or download the same information in PDF format (feel free to print and distribute them):

• Extreme Heat FAQs
• Heat Wave_Multilingual

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Heat Waves and Heat Illness

By City and County of San Francisco, Department of Public Health, Environmental Health

Why is heat‐related illness a concern?

Temperatures are generally cool to moderate in San Francisco, so our bodies may have challenges adapting to heat stresses which can increase the risk of heat-related illness and death. Few residential buildings have ventilation and air conditioning systems designed to manage heat events. Heat events and prolonged periods of excessive heat cause more deaths than any other natural disaster. Without protections, prolonged hot weather can cause dehydration and increase your core body temperature, making it difficult for your body to function normally. This can lead to heat‐related illnesses and possibly death. Heat‐related illness encompasses many health problems, such as: dehydration, heat stress, heat exhaustion and heat stroke that occur when the body becomes too hot and cannot cool down adequately. Heat can also worsen existing chronic conditions, such as heart disease.

Who is most affected by heat?

Although everyone can be affected by the heat, some people are at greater risk for heat‐related illness than others. Some of these risk factors lead to increased time spent in the heat, while others may affect how people can regulate their body temperature.

What populations are vulnerable to heat‐related illness:

• People aged 65 or older
• Infants and young children
• People with underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, mental illness, developmental disability, dementia, respiratory conditions, asthma, obesity
• People who do strenuous work outdoors
• Athletes
• People who live or work indoors in buildings without good ventilation or air conditioning
• People living alone and who are socially isolated
• Especially those who are confined to their beds, have trouble with being mobile, or are unable to leave their homes
• People taking medications that affect their body’s ability to stay hydrated and respond to heat.
• This includes: medications used to treat high blood pressure and heart problems (beta‐blockers, diuretics), those used to reduce allergy symptoms (antihistamines), those used to calm you (tranquilizers), those used to reduce psychiatric symptoms such as delusions (antipsychotics) and other medications that disrupt the regulation of body temperature.
• People who consume caffeine or alcohol which are substance that increases urination and water

What symptoms and signs of heat exhaustion to look for:

• Paleness
• Tiredness
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Fainting
• Muscle cramps
• Heavy sweating

What are the symptoms and signs of heat stroke:

• Extremely high body temperature 103°+
• Difficulty breathing
• Red, hot, dry skin (with no sweating)
• Rapid, strong pulse
• Throbbing headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Mental Confusion
• Delirium
• Hallucinations
• Chills
• Unconsciousness

How can heat‐related illness be prevented?

When it is very hot outside, stay inside in places with air conditioning or which are well ventilated.  For relief from the heat, consider visiting a community center, movie theater, public library, swimming pool or shaded park.

Remember to make sure that people:

• Drink fluids frequently throughout the day, before you feel thirsty
• Check on the elderly regularly
• Don’t leave children or pets in the car!
• Take cool showers/baths
• Limit outdoor activity, especially during the hottest part of the day
• Take frequent breaks in the shade when spending time outside
• Wear light‐colored, light‐weight clothing and a hat
• Avoid alcoholic beverages and caffeinated drinks
• Use an air conditioner if you have one.
• If you do not have an air conditioner, go to a cooler place such as an air‐conditioned family’s, friend’s or neighbor’s home, store, mall, museum, or movie theater, or, visit a cooling center.
• Check on your at‐risk family, friends and neighbors often and help them get to a cool place.
• Fans alone will not keep you cool when it is really hot outside.
• Conserve by setting your air conditioner to 78 degrees and only cooling rooms you are using when you are at home.
• Never leave children, pets, or those who require special care in a parked car.
• Avoid strenuous activity, or plan it for the coolest part of the day, usually in the morning between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. or in the evening. If you exercise, drink two to four glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids each hour.  A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat. If you are used to regular exercise, just keep in mind the symptoms of heat illness when exercising and stop or rest if any occur.
• Bathing or showering with cool (not cold) water can be helpful for those able to do so safely
• It is important to check regularly on adults at risk, especially the isolated elderly.  Visit at‐risk adults at least twice a day and watch them closely for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

What are the warning signs of heat stress?

• If you (or someone you know) feels weak or faint, go to a cool place and drink water. If there is no improvement, call a doctor or 911.
• Call 911 immediately if you have, or someone you know has:
• Hot dry skin OR cold clammy skin
• Trouble breathing
• Rapid heartbeat
• Confusion, disorientation, or dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting

The City and County of San Francisco, Department of Public Health, Environmental Health encourages you to take care of yourself!

Are there really Heat Waves in San Francisco?

Few people view San Francisco as a place of concern for extreme heat events, because of its temperate climate. But climate change models project that heat waves will increase in frequency and severity. Further, the city showed specific vulnerabilities during the 2006 California heat wave, due to our lack of physiologic and technologic adaptations for extreme heat events.

San Franciscans rarely experience extreme heat events, so our bodies have a more difficult time adapting which can increase the risk of heat related illness and death. We also have less technologic adaptations, like central air conditioning, because of the typically cooler climate and older housing stock

How to Take Care of Yourself:

• Stay somewhere cool
• Drink plenty of water
• Wear light clothing & hats
• Avoid being outside during the hottest hours of the day: 10 am -4 pm
• Avoid strenuous activity
• Avoid sugar, alcohol, caffeine, foods high in protein

Heat Related Illnesses:

Heat Exhaustion Symptoms:

• Paleness
• Tiredness
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Fainting
• Muscle Cramps
• Heavy sweating

Heat Stroke Symptoms:

Extremely high body temperature 103°+; difficulty breathing; red, hot, dry skin (with no sweating); rapid, strong pulse; throbbing headache, dizziness; nausea; mental confusion; delirium; hallucinations; chills; unconsciousness

Who may need your help:

• People aged 65+
• Infants and young children
• People with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, mental illness, developmental disability, dementia, respiratory conditions, asthma, obesity
• People who are outdoors for long periods of time
• People without access to air conditioning
• People living alone and who are socially isolated
• People who consume diuretics (substance that increases urination and water loss), such as caffeine and alcohol or illegal drugs

How You Can Help Them:

• Check in on neighbors, family, or friends who are at increased risk, especially those who live alone and, if needed, offer to help them get to a cool location.
• Ensure they have access to plenty of water, ice in their freezer, and a fan if possible.
• Encourage them not to move around too much, especially in the sun.
• If you need additional resources, call 311
• Call 911 if it’s an emergency

Heat Waves in San Francisco?

Few people view San Francisco as a place of concern for extreme heat events, because of its temperate climate. But climate change models project that heat waves will increase in frequency and severity. Further, the city showed specific vulnerabilities during the 2006 California heat wave, due to our lack of physiologic and technologic adaptations for extreme heat events.

San Franciscans rarely experience extreme heat events, so our bodies have a more difficult time adapting which can increase the risk of heat related illness and death. We also have less technologic adaptations, like central air conditioning, because of the typically cooler climate and older housing stock

How to Take Care of Yourself

• Stay somewhere cool
• Drink plenty of water
• Wear light clothing & hats
• Avoid being outside during the hottest hours of the day: 10 am -4 pm
• Avoid strenuous activity
• Avoid sugar, alcohol, caffeine, foods high in protein

Heat Related Illness

Heat Exhaustion

paleness, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, fainting, muscle cramps, heavy sweating

Heat Stroke

extremely high body temperature 103°+; difficulty breathing; red, hot, dry skin (with no sweating); rapid, strong pulse; throbbing headache, dizziness; nausea; mental confusion; delirium; hallucinations; chills; unconsciousness

How You Can Help

• Check in on neighbors, family, or friends who are at increased risk, especially those who live alone and, if needed, offer to help them get to a cool location.
• Ensure they have access to plenty of water, ice in their freezer, and a fan if possible.
• Encourage them not to move around too much, especially in the sun.
• If you need additional resources, call 311,
• or 911 if it’s an emergency.
• People aged 65+
• Infants and young children
• People with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, mental illness, developmental disability, dementia, respiratory conditions, asthma, obesity
• People who are outdoors for long periods of time
• People without access to air conditioning
• People living alone and who are socially isolated
• People who consume diuretics (substance that increases urination and water loss), such as caffeine and alcohol or illegal drugs

Few people view San Francisco as a place of concern for extreme heat events, because of its temperate climate. But climate change models project that heat waves will increase in frequency and severity. Further, the city showed specific vulnerabilities during the 2006 California heat wave, due to our lack of physiologic and technologic adaptations for extreme heat events.

San Franciscans rarely experience extreme heat events, so our bodies have a more difficult time adapting which can increase the risk of heat related illness and death. We also have less technologic adaptations, like central air conditioning, because of the typically cooler climate and older housing stock.