If you have air conditioning, have your unit(s) cleaned and serviced before heat arrives. 

If you don’t have air conditioning, plan where to go to keep cool during extreme heat. For example, public cooling centers or other buildings like malls and libraries may offer some relief during the day. 

Know that portable electric fans do not cool air. They just move the air around and keep you cool by helping to evaporate your sweat. Remember these tips to use electric fans safely during extreme heat events: 

• Do safely position fans to exhaust hot air from rooms or draw in cooler air.  
• Do not use an electric fan in a closed room.  
• Do not use electric fans for cooling when the room temperature is in the mid-90s or higher. When it is that hot, electric fans will not prevent heat-related illness. 

Learn how you can use ventilation and shading strategies to help control indoor temperatures and conserve energy during extreme heat: 

• Cover windows that receive morning and afternoon sun with shades to help limit a rise in indoor temperatures. 
• You can use drapes, shades, roller shades, awnings, or louvers to cover your windows. Outdoor awnings and louvers can reduce the heat that enters a home more than indoor shades.  
• In general, if the air outside is hotter than the air inside, close the windows. If the air outside is cooler, open the shades or drapes, and the windows.  

Although keeping windows and doors closed may help maintain temperatures, in some cases you may need to open the windows slightly to maintain adequate ventilation during activities that may reduce air quality indoors. Consider the outdoor air quality where you live before opening windows. 

More significant projects, such as properly air sealing and insulating your attic, may reduce how much your home heats up during extreme heat events. Learn about tips to help your home withstand heat waves and maintain indoor air quality.