As Oregon enters the hottest months of the year, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is encouraging people to take steps now to protect themselves, their families and their communities from heat-related illness, which can develop quickly and become life-threatening. Older adults, infants, young children, outdoor workers, people experiencing homelessness, pregnant people and those with chronic health conditions face a higher risk during periods of extreme heat.
During hot weather, OHA recommends spending time in air-conditioned buildings whenever possible and limiting outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day, typically 10 am-5 pm; scheduling outdoor work and recreation for early morning or evening hours; using cooling methods such as cool showers, damp cloths and misting; and wearing loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothing. Water should be consumed regularly throughout the day, especially when working or exercising outdoors, and excessive alcohol consumption should be avoided as should the number of drinks with high amounts of caffeine or sugar. In addition to taking care of yourself, never leave children, older adults or pets in unattended parked vehicles and check in on neighbors, family members and friends who may be more vulnerable to heat.
Information on local cooling centers is available from the City of Portland’s Extreme Heat page, portland.gov/emergency/heat/extreme-heat, Multnomah County’s Help for When It’s Hot website, multco.us/programs/help-when-its-hot, and through 211 at 211info.org/get-help/extreme-heat or by calling 211.
For those needing assistance getting to and from a cooling center during a declared heat emergency, TriMet is available; they will not turn anyone away. Tell the bus operator you’re heading to or from a cooling center when boarding.