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At times, Kane County experiences extreme heat and cold weather conditions. It is important to be aware of weather-related illnesses and prepare to keep safe. ​CDC: Preparing for and Responding to Extreme Heat and Cold Events Current Watches, Warnings & Advisories for Illinois Issued by National Weather Service

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​Hot Weather Safety

DO:

• Use air conditioners or spend time in air-conditioned locations such as malls and libraries
• Use portable electric fans to exhaust hot air from rooms or draw in cooler air
• Take a cool bath or shower
• Minimize direct exposure to the sun
• Stay hydrated – regularly drink water or other nonalcoholic fluids
• Eat light, cool, easy-to-digest foods such as fruit or salads
• Wear loose fitting, light-colored clothes
• Check on older, sick, or frail people who may need help responding to the heat
• Know the symptoms of excessive heat exposure and the appropriate responses.

DON'T:

• Direct the flow of portable electric fans toward yourself when room temperature is hotter than 90°f
• Leave children and pets alone in cars for any amount of time
• Drink alcohol to try to stay cool
• Eat heavy, hot, or hard-to-digest foods
• Wear heavy, dark clothing.

Keep cool with these additional tips:

Avoid hot foods and heavy meals—they add heat to your body.

Drink plenty of fluids and replace salts and minerals in your body. Do not take salt tablets unless under medical supervision.

Dress infants and children in cool, loose clothing and shade their heads and faces with hats or an umbrella.

Limit sun exposure during mid-day hours and in places of potential severe exposure such as beaches.

Do not leave infants, children, or pets in a parked car.

Provide plenty of fresh water for your pets, and leave water in a shady area.

Check on your relatives, neighbors, and loved ones who are elderly or chronically ill to make sure they are managing.

Cold Weather Safety

DO:

• ​Listen for specific warnings like; Winter Storm WARNING, Blizzard WARNING, Snow Squall WARNING. Each of these key terms can have life-threatening severe weather conditions. Warnings usually are precipitated by watches and/or advisories.
• Stay Warm. Before the winter season begins make sure you can heat your home safely. Prepare your home to keep out the cold with insulation, caulking, and weather stripping.
• Gather food, water, and medicine before a winter storm. Stores might be closed, and it may be unsafe to travel.
• If you have to go outside, dress properly. Keep your nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, and toes in warm dry clothing. These areas are the most at risk for frostbite.
• Have a plan if your home becomes too cold. You may go to a neighbor’s house, a friend’s house, or a local warming center​. 
  
• Have multiple ways to receive watch and warning advisories. (weather radios, activate cell phone warnings, news alerts, weather apps).
• Protect your water supply. Keep faucets to a drip to ensure water is moving through the pipes of your home during a freeze. This will help to limit the possibility of burst pipes and also keep water flowing through the home.
• Prepare your vehicle for the weather. Emergency roadside kits, vehicle service, and full gas tanks help to prevent or reduce the risk of getting stranded and help to keep your vehicle going in the event of a stranding.

DON’T:

• Leave your home for unnecessary travel. Emergency services can be stretched thin during a winter event. Leaving your home puts yourself and others at risk and takes essential services away from those that may truly need it. Don’t get stranded!
• Run generators indoors. Ensure all generators are at least 20 feet from the house and ensure you have working CO detectors.
• Overexert yourself. Shoveling heavy snow, pushing a car, or walking in deep snow can lead to strain on your body and possibly a cardiac event such as a heart attack. Listen to your body and rest in between shoveling or exertion. It is better to stay inside!
• Don’t Delay, have a family plan in place for response to cold weather!