The Future of Summer Travel Looks Hotter. Here’s How Experts Say Travelers Need to Prepare for Extreme Heat
Summer heat can turn a vacation into an emergency faster than most travelers realize. Heat kills more Americans than any other weather hazard, and with more than 180 million people currently facing Level 3 or Level 4 heat risk across the eastern United States, extreme heat travel safety demands the same kind of preparation many people give to winter storms.
“The same way that we prepare for more extreme travel in the cold, we should start to consider those tips to keep us safe in the summer months,” Dr. Alexander Azan, co-director of Project HEATWAVE at NYU Langone Health, told PBS.
Why heat is the deadliest weather hazard right now
Heat is the top weather-related killer in the United States, averaging 238 deaths per year based on NOAA’s 10-year preliminary data from 2015 through 2024. Many of those deaths cluster during heat waves like the one now baking the eastern U.S., while the Southwest is already logging temperatures near 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The National Weather Service puts more than 180 million people under the two highest tiers of its heat risk scale. That combination of scale and lethality is exactly why heat safety belongs at the center of any summer trip.
Warning signs to watch for while you travel
Heat illness can sneak up on anyone, and certain medications or chronic conditions can dull the body’s usual alarm bells. Early signs include heavy sweating, muscle cramps and headache. Stop and cool down the moment you notice them. Heat exhaustion adds a faster heart rate and dizziness. Heat stroke brings confusion, slurred words or fainting, and it is a 911 emergency.
Vacation habits raise the stakes. Long hours outdoors, intense activities and more alcohol than usual all increase heat-related risk. Use a buddy system with your travel companions and watch each other for dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps and cool, clammy skin. If anyone becomes hot to the touch, extremely confused or unconscious, get help immediately.
How to prep before you leave
Check the hourly forecast for your destination and survey anyone joining you about health considerations. Confirm your lodging has reliable air conditioning, and look up whether the area has had recent blackouts or brownouts. Search for public cooling centers nearby and jot down key emergency phone numbers.
Pack a reusable water bottle, light-colored breathable clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat and a cooling towel. A portable fan can help, though during very high temperatures it may just blow hot air back at you.
Staying safe on the road
Get your vehicle inspected a few weeks before departure with a close look at the engine cooling system and battery. If you are renting abroad, confirm the car has working air conditioning. Never leave young children, pets or older adults alone in a parked vehicle, even for a few minutes.
“If you’re traveling in heat like this, the number one rule is to never leave a child or a pet or anyone unattended in a car. Vehicles can get extremely hot really quickly, especially when we have temperatures like this,” Pete Cichetti, director of the State Office of Emergency Management, told WGRZ.
Keep the tank above a quarter full so you are not stranded in the heat. Park in shade when possible, use a windshield sunshade, and when climbing back into a hot car, turn the air conditioning on with recirculation off. Roll the windows down briefly, then switch recirculation on once the cabin cools. If you break down, stay with the vehicle or nearby shade rather than walking the roadside for help. Put reflectors or cones in front of the car and keep an extra charger that plugs into the vehicle so your phone stays alive.
What to do at your destination and when you get home
At your destination, staying cool and hydrating frequently are the two most important habits. Keep the buddy system going throughout the day, and be mindful that vacation behavior changes can quietly increase your heat exposure.
Home matters too. “If you are traveling, make sure you leave your air conditioning on in your house so you don’t get back to a really hot house, and make sure you pull the shades down so the heat doesn’t get trapped inside your house,” Cichetti told WGRZ.
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