Sizzling summer heat: Essential safety tips

BEING. MYA CALEB IN BIRMINGHAM, PEOPLE WON’T BE THE ONLY ONES AVOIDING THE HEAT. THIS WEEKS HEAT ADVISORY ALSO CALLS FOR YOU TO PROTECT YOUR PETS OUTSIDE OF HYDRATION. YOU ALSO WANT TO KEEP YOUR PETS INDOORS OR IN SHADED AREAS. IF YOU DO HAVE TO BRING THEM OUTSIDE, YOU WILL ALSO WANT TO KEEP THEM OFF OF HOT CONCRETE AS IT’S GOING TO BE WAY TOO HOT FOR THEIR PAWS. HOT PAVEMENT CAN LEAD TO BLISTERS AND BURNS. IF YOUR PET IS PANTING HARD OR THEIR BODY FEELS HOT, THEY COULD BE EXPERIENCING HEAT EXHAUSTION. AND OF COURSE, YOU’LL WANT TO REGULARLY BE REFRESHING THEIR WATER. IF YOU DO HAVE TO BRING THE WATER OUTSIDE. IF THAT WATER FEELS WARM TO THE TOUCH, THEN IT’S PROBABLY TOO HOT FOR YOUR PETS TO BE DRINKING IT. LIVE I

Updated: 11:32 AM CDT Jun 24, 2025

Editorial Standards ��

Sizzling summer heat: Essential safety tips

Updated: 11:32 AM CDT Jun 24, 2025

Editorial Standards ��

The hottest days of the season so far will arrive this weekend following the official start to summer. Here is what you need to know to stay safe: HEAT STRESS Heat index, also known as the apparent temperature, is what the air feels like to the body when relative humidity is combined with the actual air temperature. Because heat levels rise in the summer, feels-like temperatures become concerning; higher-temperature air has the ability to hold more water.Sweating is the body's natural way of cooling. The water evaporates from your skin to cool you down. When the air contains higher levels of moisture, it's more difficult for your body to cool itself as the rate of evaporation decreases. Your body can then overheat very quickly.Though it contains greater density, dry air heats and cools more efficiently. This means on a day with lower humidity, the air temperature can reach higher values. Consequently, higher humidity days typically keep temperatures lower while the heat index soars.A Heat Advisory is issued by the NWS when the heat index is expected to reach 105 degrees or higher.An Excessive Heat Warning is issued by the NWS when the heat index is expected to reach 110 degrees or higher.HEAT SAFETY These hot summer days are not uncommon for us, but it's been a while since we have felt heat this intense. It's important to make sure you stay hydrated and take breaks from the outdoors when needed.Now is a good time to review the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.You should also consider how quickly summer heat can become dangerous inside a parked vehicle. Check in with friends and neighbors to ensure they are staying safe and keeping cool. Stay weather-awareFor the latest weather coverage for your area, click here. And stay updated with alerts in the �� 13 app. You can download it here.For the latest Birmingham weather information and Central Alabama's certified most accurate forecast, watch �� 13 News.Don't forget to follow us on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram and YouTube.

The hottest days of the season so far will arrive this weekend following the official start to summer. Here is what you need to know to stay safe:

HEAT STRESS

Heat index, also known as the apparent temperature, is what the air feels like to the body when relative humidity is combined with the actual air temperature. Because heat levels rise in the summer, feels-like temperatures become concerning; higher-temperature air has the ability to hold more water.

Sweating is the body's natural way of cooling. The water evaporates from your skin to cool you down.

When the air contains higher levels of moisture, it's more difficult for your body to cool itself as the rate of evaporation decreases. Your body can then overheat very quickly.

Though it contains greater density, dry air heats and cools more efficiently. This means on a day with lower humidity, the air temperature can reach higher values. Consequently, higher humidity days typically keep temperatures lower while the heat index soars.

Hearst Owned

A Heat Advisory is issued by the NWS when the heat index is expected to reach 105 degrees or higher.
An Excessive Heat Warning is issued by the NWS when the heat index is expected to reach 110 degrees or higher.

HEAT SAFETY

These hot summer days are not uncommon for us, but it's been a while since we have felt heat this intense. It's important to make sure you stay hydrated and take breaks from the outdoors when needed.

Now is a good time to review the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Hearst Owned

You should also consider how quickly summer heat can become dangerous inside a parked vehicle.

Hearst Owned

Check in with friends and neighbors to ensure they are staying safe and keeping cool.

Stay weather-aware

For the latest weather coverage for your area, click here. And stay updated with alerts in the �� 13 app. You can download it here.

For the latest Birmingham weather information and Central Alabama's certified most accurate forecast, watch �� 13 News.

Don't forget to follow us on , (formerly known as Twitter), and .

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