Prepare a Household Plan for Extreme Heat
A household heat plan identifies ways to stay cooler, keep water available, and decide where to go if the home becomes too hot.
Know what makes the home hotter
Walk through the home and note which rooms receive direct sun, hold heat, or have limited airflow. Identify a cooler room that household members can use during the hottest part of the day. Curtains or blinds can reduce sun exposure, while safe ventilation may help when outdoor conditions are cooler; do not use equipment in ways that block exits or create a hazard.
Plan for household members who may need extra support, such as older adults, young children, people with health conditions, or pets. Make sure everyone knows how to reach one another if they are in different rooms or away from home.
Prepare hydration and practical supplies
Keep drinking water accessible and identify clean containers for carrying it. Make a short list of items needed to stay comfortable, such as a charged phone, lightweight clothing, a hat, and any health-related supplies. If a fan or cooling device is part of the plan, check that it works and that you can use it safely.
Consider what you will do if power is interrupted. Keep a charging method available and know where you can find current local information. Ready.gov recommends planning for alternative ways to charge a phone during an outage; a charged power bank can be useful if it is kept ready and used according to its instructions.
Choose places to go and ways to get there
Write down one or more places where household members could spend time if the home becomes too hot, such as a trusted person’s home or a public cooling location when available. Confirm opening hours and eligibility before relying on a location. Choose a route and backup way to travel, and consider how children, mobility devices, or pets will be accommodated.
A household might agree to check the living room temperature at midday, then go to a nearby cooling site if it becomes uncomfortable and the site is open. The precise trigger should fit the household and local guidance; do not wait for everyone to feel unwell before making a plan.
Share and review the plan
Keep the plan where household members can find it and share the key steps with people who may help. Include contacts, the cooler room, water supplies, destination options, and how to communicate if phones are low on power. Review the plan before hot weather and after a move or change in household needs.
Check local alerts and instructions when extreme heat is expected, since conditions and services change. A written plan makes the next decision easier: where to cool down, what to bring, and who should be contacted.
Sources & further reading
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