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The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Heat Advisory for Miami-Dade County this morning from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. this evening. A Heat Advisory is published when a heat index of 105° F or higher is expected for at least two hours. Under this advisory, Miami-Dade County urges residents to take extra precautions, especially those who are at most risk such as children, infants, older adults, people with chronic medical conditions, outdoor workers, and pregnant people.
“We want our residents and visitors to be aware of the potential risks of extreme heat so that we can all take the proper precautions to stay safe and healthy here in Miami-Dade County,” said County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “I encourage all residents to do a Heat Check: drink water, rest, and find shade if you are working or playing outdoors this week. For more information, go to miamidade.gov/heat.”
Individuals who do not have access to air conditioning are strongly encouraged to seek relief with a friend or family member who has air conditioning or in public air-conditioned facilities such as Miami-Dade County Public Libraries, malls, or community recreation centers. Employers with workers exposed to heat are encouraged to alter work schedules and locations and provide shaded rest breaks with ample drinking water.
In addition to seeking a cool place to beat the heat, people working, walking, or recreating outside should remember that heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke can happen quickly. The community is encouraged to take simple precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses including:
- Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day especially those with electrolytes, avoiding those that that contain caffeine, high sugar content, and alcohol.
- Eat light, cool, easy-to-digest foods such as fruit or salads. If you pack food, put it in a cooler or carry an ice pack. Don’t leave it sitting in the sun. Meats and dairy products can spoil quickly in hot weather.
- Do not take salt tablets unless specified by a physician.
- Avoid outdoor activities during the peak hours of the day. Limit outdoor activities to the early morning or evening hours.
- If you must be outdoors, slow down, take breaks in shaded or cool areas, and drink cool fluids every hour.
- Wear clothing that is lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting. Protect your face and scalp from harmful UV rays by wearing a hat and protect your skin by applying sunscreen.
- Never leave children or pets in cars.
- Minimize direct exposure to the sun. Sunburn reduces your body’s ability to dissipate heat.
- If you have pets, bring them indoors. If they need to remain outdoors, make sure they have access to a cool, shaded area with plenty of water.
- Those particularly sensitive to heat such as pregnant people, infants, young children and older adults, and those with chronic medical conditions should stay in the coolest available place.
- Use portable electric fans. Do not direct the flow of fans toward yourself when room temperature is hotter than 90°F. The dry blowing air will dehydrate you faster, endangering your health.
- Take a cool bath or shower and/or use a moist towel around your neck and head for cooling.
- Check on older, sick, or frail people who may need help responding to the heat.
- If you feel lightheaded, confused, weak, or faint, seek medical attention immediately by calling 911.
For additional heat health tips, visit: https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat-during or https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heattips.html.
For more information on locations and hours of operations for spots you can go to keep cool, visit:
- Miami-Dade Public Library System: www.mdpls.org
- Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation, Open Spaces department (PROS): www.miamidade.gov/parks
- Or call the Miami-Dade Contact Center by dialing 311 or (305) 468-5900.
Persons experiencing homelessness who are seeking assistance should call the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust Helpline at 1 (877) 994-HELP (4357) or (305) 375-CARE (2273).
It is the policy of Miami-Dade County to comply with the requirements of the ADA.
