September is here, but the hot weather isn’t over yet. Several organizations have highlighted how extreme heat is impacting people across the United States.
Extreme heat is a period of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees for at least two to three days. In extreme heat, your body works extra hard to maintain a normal temperature, which can even lead to death. Extreme heat is responsible for the highest number of deaths each year among all weather-related hazards. Extreme Heat | Ready.gov
Recent NPR Report on Extreme heat
NPR partnered with Boston University to find the total number of deaths influenced by heat every year in the United States. The investigation took two years and included building a statistical model to look at nearly every county in the country. The results show that in nearly every state, the actual number of heat deaths is more than is officially reported. Several graphs at the above link show this in more detail. The full analysis will soon be published in a scientific journal.
Cooling the Crisis: Heat Emergencies and People with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) – The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies and Autistic Self Advocacy Network
Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies and the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) created the resources below to answer questions about extreme heat and provide immediate and long-term ways to help people with I/DD stay safe in hot weather.*
Heat emergencies can be scary, and it can be hard to know what to do when one happens, especially if you don’t have a plan. But what is extreme heat, and why does it matter for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD)?
*If you have any accessibility questions, please reach out to Priya Penner at priya@disasterstrategies.org.
Find resources listed below in one place at Cooling the Crisis: Heat Emergencies and People with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities – The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies
Policy Briefs:
For advocates, policymakers, public health, emergency managers, and other key stakeholders and decision-makers working to reduce heat risk.
Formal Language: Cooling the Crisis: A Policy Brief on Protecting People with I/DD from Heat Emergencies
Plain Language: Cooling the Crisis Policy Brief: Plain Language Edition
Fact Sheets:
For individuals with disabilities, including people with I/DD to stay safe in heat emergencies.
Plain Language: Cooling the Crisis: Plain Language Edition
Easy Read: Cooling the Crisis: Easy Read Edition
Webinar:
Webinar “Heat Emergencies and You!”
More resources to help with extreme heat
Operation Fan Heat Relief | NCDHHS
Learn more about staying safe in extreme heat
About Heat and Your Health | Heat Health | CDC
Heat Safety Tips for Older Adults & Caregivers | The Senior Alliance
Keep People with Disabilities Safe in the Summer Heat | The Community Living Education Project
The Ultimate Heatwave Survival Guide for Mobility Aid Users