Summer Is Coming: Nursing Safety Tips for Extreme Heat from Dr. Valerie K. Sabol, Director of Planetary Health

As summer temperatures climb, nurses are sounding the alarm: extreme heat is not just uncomfortable, but a serious health risk. From emergency departments to community clinics, nurses see firsthand how high temperatures can quickly become dangerous, especially for people with underlying health conditions or limited access to cooling.

With heat-related illness becoming more common as average temperatures rise and heat waves last longer—according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the 10 warmest years on record have all occurred since 2015—extreme heat is now “a predictable yet preventable public health threat,” said Valerie K. Sabol, PhD, MBA, ACNP‑BC, GNP‑BC, Director of Planetary Health at Duke University School of Nursing.

“When the body’s cooling becomes insufficient, the heart must work harder and dehydration develops more quickly, putting strain on those living with heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, diabetes, and respiratory illnesses,” Dr. Sabol explained. “Extreme heat often coincides with poor air quality, which can worsen asthma, COPD, and heart disease. This means during heat waves, it’s especially important to monitor local air quality reports and limit outdoor activity if needed.”

As Summer 2026 approaches, Dr. Sabol said, “Individuals, families, and communities should prepare for extreme heat the same way they prepare for storms—by making a plan, checking on those at increased risk, and knowing when to seek help.”

Below, Dr. Sabol shares additional information and evidence‑based nursing tips to help individuals and families stay safe during periods of extreme heat.

Who Is Most at Risk?

Nurses pay close attention to populations who are more vulnerable during extreme heat:

• Infants and young children heat up faster than adults and rely on caregivers for hydration and cooling. Outdoor activities should be limited to cooler parts of the day, and children should never be left in parked vehicles, even briefly.
• Teens and young adults participating in sports, camps, or outdoor jobs may ignore early symptoms. Coaches and supervisors should enforce water breaks, shade, and gradual heat acclimatization.
• Pregnant individuals face increased risks of dehydration, dizziness, and cardiovascular strain. Any concerning symptoms, such as severe headache, faintness, or reduced fetal movement, should prompt a call to a clinician.
• Older adults are among the highest‑risk groups. Aging can blunt thirst sensation and reduce the body’s ability to regulate temperature. Falls during heat waves are common and can cause injury, including severe burns from hot pavement.
• Outdoor workers, including construction crews, farm workers, utility staff, and first responders, face prolonged exposure. No one should be expected to “push through” heat‑related symptoms.

Medications and Heat: What to Know

Certain medications increase heat risk by affecting hydration, sweating, blood pressure, alertness, or kidney function. These include diuretics, some blood pressure medications, allergy and bladder medications, certain mental health medications, stimulants, sedatives, and Parkinson’s disease treatments.

“People should never stop medication on their own,” Dr. Sabol emphasized, “but they should ask a clinician or pharmacist if any medicines require extra caution in hot weather.”

Warning Signs That Require Action

Knowing early symptoms can be lifesaving.

Heat exhaustion may include heavy sweating, dizziness, headache, nausea, muscle cramps, weakness, or cool, clammy skin. Move to a cooler place, loosen clothing, offer fluids, and apply cool compresses.

Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Call 911 immediately if someone has confusion, fainting, seizures, very high body temperature, or hot skin with altered mental status. Begin cooling right away while awaiting help.

Practical Nursing Tips That Save Lives

• Drink fluids regularly, even before you feel thirsty. Water is best; electrolyte drinks may help during prolonged sweating.
• Plan around the heat. Schedule exercise, errands, yard work, and dog walks for early morning or evening.
• Use cooling intentionally. Air conditioning, cooling centers, cool showers, and shaded spaces are far more effective than fans alone during extreme heat.
• Prepare for power outages. Keep water on hand, charge devices, know where nearby cooling centers are located, and maintain an up‑to‑date medication list.
• Check on others. A daily call, text, or visit can save lives—especially for older adults, people living alone, families with young children, and individuals with disabilities.

Additional Resources

Trusted public resources can help families monitor risk and plan ahead. Dr. Sabol cited national tools like AirNow for air quality, CDC heat health guidance, National Weather Service heat alerts, and FEMA’s Ready.gov. These resources offer practical, plain‑language information. For local support, including cooling centers, transportation, and utility assistance, dial 211. Duke University’s own research and policy work on extreme heat is available through the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability.

A Final Message for Summer

“A heat advisory is more than a weather update—it’s a public health warning,” Dr. Sabol said. “Preparation saves lives. So check the forecast, plan ahead, review medications, and check in on each other so you can stay cool and enjoy the summer.”