Heat Safety Tips

Quick reference: what to do

The three core actions across all four levels at a glance.

At night, "Stay cool" means airflow — open windows, use a fan, or AC if heat persists. Hydrate before sleep.

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Manageable — HSI below 26°C

Your body can cool itself effectively in current conditions. Normal outdoor activity is generally fine for healthy adults.

• Stay hydrated — drink water regularly even if you do not feel thirsty
• Wear light, loose, breathable clothing
• Use shade when available during peak sun hours (11am–4pm)
• Check on elderly neighbours, children, and outdoor workers

Caution — HSI 26–28°C

Your body's cooling is becoming less efficient. Healthy adults can still manage with precautions. Vulnerable people should limit outdoor exposure.

• Limit strenuous outdoor activity, especially during peak hours
• Drink water more frequently — do not wait until you feel thirsty
• Seek shade or air-conditioned spaces for rest breaks
• Elderly people, young children, pregnant women, and those with health conditions should stay indoors
• Never leave children or animals in parked vehicles
• Watch for early signs of heat exhaustion: heavy sweating, weakness, cold or pale skin, fast or weak pulse, nausea

Danger — HSI 28–32°C

Your body is struggling to cool itself. Limit outdoor exposure for everyone. Take heat illness symptoms seriously.

• Avoid outdoor activity during peak hours — reschedule if possible
• Stay in the coolest available space — air conditioning, shade, or near a fan with wet cloth on skin
• Drink water consistently throughout the day
• Wet your skin — a damp cloth on the neck, wrists, and forehead helps cooling
• Do not wipe sweat off — let it evaporate
• If outdoor work is unavoidable, take breaks in shade every 15–20 minutes
• If anyone shows signs of heat stroke — confusion, hot dry skin, loss of consciousness — call emergency services immediately

Critical — HSI above 32°C

Your body cannot cool itself in current conditions. This is a medical emergency level of heat. Stay indoors.

• Do not go outdoors unless absolutely necessary
• Stay in air-conditioned spaces — if you do not have AC, go to a public space that does
• If outdoors is unavoidable, cover all skin, carry water, and limit exposure to minutes not hours
• Keep checking on vulnerable people — elderly relatives, neighbours, those without AC
• Symptoms of heat stroke are a medical emergency: call 108 (India) immediately if you see confusion, hot skin, rapid breathing, or loss of consciousness
• Cool the person down immediately while waiting for help — wet cloths, shade, fanning

Signs of heat illness

Know the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

• Heat exhaustion — heavy sweating, weakness, cold or pale clammy skin, fast weak pulse, nausea, possible fainting. Move to a cool place, apply cool wet cloths, sip water.
• Heat stroke — high body temperature (above 39°C), hot red dry or damp skin, rapid strong pulse, possible unconsciousness. This is a medical emergency. Call 108 immediately. Cool the person down while waiting for help.

Emergency

India emergency numbers:
108 — Medical / Ambulance
112 — All emergencies
1078 — Disaster (NDMA)