The City of St. Louis Urges Residents to Take Precautions During Ongoing Period of Extreme Heat

• Heat Exhaustion
  • Heavy sweating
  • Weakness or dizziness
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Headache
  • Cold, pale, or clammy skin
• Heat Stroke
  • High body temperature (103°F or higher)
  • Hot, red, dry or damp skin
  • Confusion
  • Fainting
  • Rapid, strong pulse

“The extreme heat will remain a serious concern for the coming days and potentially into early next week,” says Capt. John Walk, Interim Commissioner for the City Emergency Management Agency. “Residents and visitors are highly encouraged to utilize cooling methods, including running their air conditioners when possible and using area cooling centers to avoid the hottest parts of the day to prevent heat illnesses.”

“Our unhoused neighbors are especially vulnerable during extreme temperatures,” said Adam Pearson, Director of the Department of Human Services. “Information continues to be shared with the unhoused about libraries and other indoor sites in the community, where individuals are welcome to sit to cool off.”

Heat-Related Health and Safety Tips for People

• Avoid poorly ventilated areas and prolonged work in the sun
• Keep plenty of fluids on hand and stay inside, or take frequent breaks in an air-conditioned environment
• Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke
• Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing
• Never leave children or pets unattended in a vehicle. Check the backseat before exiting. During extreme heat, vehicle temperatures can reach lethal levels in minutes
• Routinely check on family members, neighbors, the elderly, the chronically ill, and friends. If they have air conditioning available, encourage them to use it
• Replace salt and minerals: heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from the body that need to be replaced. A sports drink can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat
• If you are on a low-salt diet, have diabetes, high blood pressure, or other chronic conditions, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage or taking salt tablets

Heat-Related Health and Safety Tips for Pets

• In extreme heat, it is important that pets are in an air-conditioned environment
• Never leave pets alone in a vehicle. If you see a pet in an unattended vehicle, call 911
• Watch for coolant leaking from your vehicle. A pet drinking just a small amount can cause death
• Do not force your animal to exercise after a meal in hot, humid weather. Limit exercise to the early morning or evening hours
• Never leave your pet standing on asphalt surfaces, as they can burn their paws

Heat-Related Services Available for Residents

• Sign up for NotifySTL to receive real-time emergency alerts and weather-related updates from the City of St. Louis.
• Cooldown St. Louis is helping area seniors and people with physical disabilities who qualify for new air-conditioning units and utilities this summer. Low-to-moderate-income households may also seek utility assistance through CoolDownStlouis.org. Seniors may call the automated hotline at 314-241-0001 or 314-657-1599 for assistance. To be considered for an air conditioner, seniors or individuals with physical disabilities must not have a working air conditioner
• For cooling site information, visit the City of St. Louis Cooling Centers website, or contact the United Way of Greater St. Louis Information Referral Line at 1-800-427-4626 or dial 2-1-1 if calling from a landline. For mobile outreach, please call the St. Patrick’s Center at 314-561-0278
• For help with a serious heat-related illness, call 911
• Immediately report animals in distress to the City of St. Louis Animal Care and Control division at 314-657-1500 during regular business hours. During evenings and weekends, call the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department at 314-231-1212
• Additional tips on child safety and child injury prevention can be found at safekids.org/safetytips/field_risks/heatstroke
• Additional tips on safety related to extreme heat can be found on the CDC website at cdc.gov/extremeheat/