Know the signs of heat stroke, exhaustion during Ohio heat advisory

WEATHER

Know the signs of heat stroke, exhaustion during Ohio heat advisory

Chad MurphyUSA TODAY NETWORK
Sept. 1, 2026, 11:44 a.m. ET

• A heat advisory is in effect for most of Ohio, with heat index values expected to exceed 100 degrees.
• Officials advise staying hydrated, limiting outdoor activities, and checking on vulnerable neighbors, relatives, and pets.
• It is important to know the signs of heat stroke and heat exhaustion and seek medical help when necessary.

It’s getting hot in Ohio this week, with most of the state under a heat advisory through at least Thursday, Sept. 3

That means temperatures will feel over 100 degrees when other factors like high humidity are considered. In Central Ohio today, Sept. 1, a heat index of 103 is forecast, and Greater Cincinnati will feel even hotter at 104 degrees

Officials are warning that the hot temperature pose a risk of heat-related illnesses, and are urging people to stay out of the sun and check up on neighbors and relatives

In addition, the extreme heat puts pets at risk, could increase the potential for your car to break down or create a power outage at home because of the increased load on the electrical grid

Do you know what to do to keep yourself cool and safe during extreme heat? Here are some tips from the Ohio Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among others

How to stay cool during Ohio’s latest heat wave

When the temperatures climb, the Ohio Department of Health has some advice on how to stay safe and cool

High-risk groups during a heat wave include infants, young children and older adults, according to the ODH, along with people with mental illness and chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, obesity, and poor blood circulation

People who are pregnant, work and exercise outdoors, and those without air conditioning in their homes are also considered high risk

Here’s what ODH recommends to stay safe in the heat:

• Drink cool fluids: Help your body cool down by staying well-hydrated with water. Don’t wait until you are thirsty to start drinking water. Drink two to four cups of water every hour while working or exercising outside, and more on hot and humid days. Avoid alcohol or caffeine; they can add to dehydration and increase the effects of heat illness.
• Monitor or limit outdoor activities: Plan outdoor activities for the early morning or evening, when the sun is less direct and temperatures are generally cooler. Wear loose, breathable, light-colored clothing and a wide-brim hat, and use sunscreen that’s at least SPF 30. Take frequent breaks in the shade or the air conditioning, and monitor youngsters playing outside.
• Check on your neighbors, family: Check on older neighbors, friends, and family, as well as those with chronic medical conditions, at least twice a day. Encourage them to stay in the air conditioning and to look for an air-conditioned shelter if necessary. Recommend that they take cool showers or baths to cool down.
• Don’t forget your pets: Outdoor animals should have plenty of fresh water and a shady area to cool down. Also, never leave pets in vehicles. Even if the windows are cracked, the temperature inside can rise almost 20 degrees within the first 10 minutes.

Weather forecast for Akron, Canton, Columbus and Cincinnati

Here’s how hot it’s expected to get around Ohio, according to the National Weather Service extended forecast

• The Akron-Canton region, is under a heat advisory through Wednesday, Sept. 2. Temperatures today, Sept. 1 will hit 91 degrees followed by a 94-degree high on Wednesday and 91 again on Thursday, Sept. 3. Temperatures then drop into the high 80s the rest of the week.
• Columbus is under a heat advisory through Thursday, Sept. 3. Highs will reach 94 today, Sept. 1, 95 on Sept. 2, 94 again on Sept. 3 and 91 on Friday, Sept. 4. Temperatures then drop into the high 80s over the weekend.
• Greater Cincinnati, also is under a heat advisory through Sept. 3, with a high temperature of 97 degrees forecast today, Wednesday and Thursday. The forecast then calls for a high of 95 on Friday and 92 Saturday, Sept. 5.

Know the symptoms of heat stroke, heat exhaustion and how they’re different

Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition characterized by several symptoms:

• A body temperature of 103 degrees or higher
• Red, hot, and dry or damp skin
• Rapid, strong pulse
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Unconsciousness

People experiencing heat stroke need immediate medical assistance – call 911

Before help arrives, begin cooling the exhausted individual by any means possible, such as spraying them with a garden hose or using cool cloths. Move the person to a cooler place

Heat exhaustion is characterized by several symptoms:

• Heavy sweating
• Cold, pale, and clammy skin
• Fast, weak pulse
• Muscle cramps
• Tiredness or weakness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting

Move the exhausted person to a cool place, loosen their clothing, and have them sip water. If possible, put cool, wet cloths on the person or have them take a cool bath

If the individual begins throwing up, or if symptoms get worse or last for over an hour – call 911

Medications and summer heat

If you have been prescribed medications, the heat can affect them if they are not stored properly, such as leaving them in a hot car. And, some medications can make you more sensitive to the sun and heat, according to the Drug and Poison Information Center

Medicines affected by extreme heat include:

• Insulin
• Asthma inhalers
• Thyroid medications
• Epinephrine

Medications that can increase the chance of a sunburn include:

• Acne medications
• Antibiotics
• Antihistamines
• Blood pressure medications
• Antipsychotics
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Oral contraceptives
• Sulfonylureas (used to treat type 2 diabetes)

How to prepare for a heat wave and power outage

If a heat wave is coming, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, American Red Cross and others have some advice on how to prepare for the hot weather and potential outages:

• Keep the heat out. If you are without air conditioning or lose power, you should try to keep the heat out of your house by closing the curtains or installing reflectors, such as cardboard covered in aluminum foil, to reflect the heat back outside, according to Ready.com, a national public service campaign to help Americans prepare for emergencies and disasters. FEMA also recommends moving to the basement or lowest floor of the building since heat rises.
• Let some air in. If it’s under 95 degrees, FEMA recommends opening a window and placing a fan near it to help with evaporative cooling. But the windows should stay shut if the air temperature is about 95 or above. UNICEF recommends opening the windows at night to let in cool air.
• Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water helps prevent heat illnesses, according to the Red Cross, which says the average person needs about three-quarters of a gallon daily. Avoid sugary, caffeinated and alcoholic drinks. If you sweat a lot, add snacks or a sports drink to replace the salt you’re losing.
• Gather emergency supplies. The Red Cross recommends having a two-week supply of food, water and medication on hand in case stores are closed during an outage. The organization advises having one gallon of water per person, per day, available in the event of an emergency.
• Be prepared to leave. FEMA recommends spending the hottest part of the day in a public building with air conditioning, such as a library, shopping mall or designated cooling center in your community, if your power is out. The Red Cross recommends having a go-kit — three days of supplies, including backup batteries and chargers for your devices — that you can carry with you in case you can’t return home for a while.