Heat Advisory Issued for our Region

Well, here we are. It is only mid-May and we have our first heat advisory of the season. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for our area beginning Saturday, May 13, at 2 p.m. through 8 p.m. on Monday, May 15. Today is also going to be quite hot. Please take the weather conditions into consideration when planning your child care day. Keep this information in mind as we enter the late spring and summer months also.

Here are some tips:

• Plan outdoor time earlier or later in the day when the temperature may be cooler and the sun's rays not as strong.

• Make sure children have plenty of water to drink throughout the day. 

• Take frequent breaks in the shade or in a cool, indoor space. Use wet paper towels or rags at the neck to help cool off.

• Prevent sunburn by making sure to use sunscreen (with signed parent permission), wearing hats and sunglasses, and providing shaded areas to play.

• Close curtains or blinds on windows that receive direct sunlight to help keep indoor spaces cool.

• Don't rely on fans as your only cooling source on very hot days. When temperatures reach the high 90's, fans will not prevent heat-related illnesses.

For more hot weather tips, see our "Keeping Cool in Hot Weather" document. Consider posting or electronically sharing this information with families. Additionally, there is a news release put out by the Washington State Department of Health with lots of great information. Keep these tips in mind throughout the summer. 

Here are a few additional resources you may find helpful:

• Snohomish County Extreme Heat and Cooling Centers webpage
• Cooling Indoor Spaces without Air Conditioning - Washington State Department of Health
• CDC Tips for Preventing Heat Related Illness
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Heat and Infants and Children 
• Child Care Weather Watch Chart - To use relative humidity and temperature to determine when it is too hot for children to be outside (see below)