Build a Two-Location Cooling Plan
Original preparedness explainer · Reviewed as a draft October 29, 2026 · General U.S. guidance
The first plan is for your home; the second is for the day home becomes too hot. Write down a library, community center, or other cooling location that is actually available near you.
Store the location, hours, contact number and a transit plan on paper, not only on a phone. Decide how a household member without a car will get there.
Do a summer practice run: carry water, learn the entrance, and identify a nearby backup. Heat preparation works best before an alert appears.
Heat deserves advance planning. Check local heat alerts, find a reliable cool indoor space, drink water as appropriate, and help neighbors who may have trouble staying cool. A fan alone may not keep an extremely hot room safe.
Put this into action
Choose one manageable improvement today. Confirm current warnings and local instructions with your city/county emergency management agency and the National Weather Service.