Stay Cool, Stay Safe: MCHD shares heat-safety tips for the days ahead 08-13-26

August 13, 2026

Stay Cool, Stay Safe: MCHD shares heat-safety tips for the days ahead

MOBILE, Ala. — Dangerous heat is expected to continue across southwest Alabama over the next several days. Forecasters expect hot, humid afternoons with highs in the mid-90s and heat index values climbing above 100 degrees, generally ranging from 103 to 107 degrees. Some locations could see heat index values nearing 108 to 110 degrees.

The Mobile County Health Department (MCHD) is reminding residents that heat exhaustion and heat stroke can occur quickly during outdoor work, exercise, sports, yard work, and other activities in hot weather. Prolonged exposure or strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day can turn a routine day outside into a medical emergency.

“Heat injury is serious, but it is also preventable,” said Dr. Kevin Michaels, Health Officer for Mobile County. “With heat indices above 100 degrees over the next several days, small steps such as drinking water, taking cooling breaks, and planning around the hottest hours of the day can protect you, your family, and your coworkers.”

MCHD encourages residents to build a heat-safety routine into each day:

• Drink water often, not just when thirsty. OSHA advises workers in hot conditions to drink about 8 ounces of water every 20 minutes.
• Take breaks in the shade or air conditioning, and avoid overexertion during peak heat in the late morning and afternoon.
• Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing to help your body stay cooler.
• Check on older adults, young children, people with chronic medical conditions, and people who work outdoors, as they may be at greater risk during extreme heat.
• Never leave children or pets in a parked car, even for a short time. Temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly to life-threatening levels.

Residents should follow local forecasts, plan outdoor activities for early morning or later evening when possible, and watch for early signs of heat exhaustion, including heavy sweating, weakness, nausea, headache, or dizziness.

Anyone showing signs of heat stroke — including confusion, loss of consciousness, seizure, or very hot skin — needs immediate medical attention. Call 911 and move the person to a cooler place while waiting for help.

Check local heat conditions using the CDC HeatRisk Dashboard in the MCHD smartphone app. The dashboard provides a color-coded, seven-day forecast showing the level of heat-related health risk for your area. To find it, open the app, select More, then choose CDC HeatRisk Dashboard.

Don’t have the app? Download it free from the App Store or Google Play by searching “My MCHD Health Check,” or visit the MCHD app page.