As Central Florida braces for rising summer temperatures, Orange County promotes summer heat safety and reminds residents it is important to recognize the early symptoms and warning signs of heat related illnesses and when to act. Knowing the warning signs will help you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy this summer.
Most vulnerable to heat-related illnesses include older adults, infants and children; people with chronic illnesses or certain medications; outdoor workers, including construction, landscaping and delivery staff; and residents experiencing homelessness or without access to air-conditioned shelter.
Heat illness exists on a spectrum — from heat cramps to heat exhaustion to life threatening heat stroke. Knowing how to quickly recognize symptoms of each can save lives.
Heat Cramps
Symptoms of heat cramps include intense muscle spasms or pain, typically in the legs or abdomen, often accompanied by heavy sweating. These cramps occur during physical activity when salt and water levels drop. If you experience these symptoms, stop activity, sip water or a sports drink, and rest in the shade. If symptoms persist beyond one hour, seek medical advice.
Heat Exhaustion
Symptoms include profuse sweating, weakness or fatigue, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, muscle cramps, cool, pale, clammy skin, fast, weak pulse, and fainting. It may also include a slightly elevated body temperature (up to about 104°F). If you experience any of these symptoms, move into a cool or air conditioned space, loosen clothing, cool the body with wet clothes or a fan, and hydrate slowly. If symptoms worsen or persist beyond one hour or vomiting occurs, call a doctor.
Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is considered a medical emergency whose danger signs include body temperature above 104°F; hot, red, dry or damp skin; rapid, strong pulse; confusion; dizziness; slurred speech; loss of consciousness. Sweating may be absent in classic cases. Other severe signs include hallucinations, seizures and organ dysfunction.
Without fast medical action, heat stroke can result in permanent disability or death. If you are with someone who is experiencing these symptoms, call 911 immediately, bring the person indoors or to shade, and start cooling with wet towels, ice packs or fans, but do not give fluids. Stay with them until emergency responders arrive.
To avoid these heat-related illnesses, Orange County is urging residents to monitor local heat warnings and heat index levels; stay hydrated and replace salts if sweating heavily; wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing; schedule outdoor activities outside peak heat hours; and use cooling centers, libraries or malls if home AC is not available.
For heat-related emergencies, call 911 immediately. For current heat advisories, visit the National Weather Service.
A Heat Advisory is issued within 12 hours when the heat index is expected to reach 108 degrees. Similarly, an Extreme Heat Warning is issued when the heat index is expected to reach 113 degrees or when the air temperature reaches 105 degrees.
Cooling Locations in Orange County:
Cool locations are public spaces with air conditioning or recreational water features (splashpad), designed to help people stay safe from the heat. Cool locations in Orange County include:
Orange County Parks and Recreation – Indoor Space (8am to 8pm)
Apopka Station at West Orange Trail
Barnett Park (Magic Gym)
Bithlo Community Park
Goldenrod Recreation Center (Magic Gym)
Magnolia Park
Marks Street Senior Recreation Complex
Meadow Woods Recreation Center (Magic Gym)
Orlo Vista Park
Renaissance Senior Center/South Econ Community Park
Silver Star Recreation Center (Magic Gym)
Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve (8am to 6pm)
West Orange Recreation Center
Orange County Parks and Recreation – Outdoor Splashpad (8am to 8pm)
Barber Park
Barnett Park/Barnett Gym
Bithlo Community Park
Capehart Park
Downey Park
Dr. P Phillips Community Park
Orange County Library System (Hours Vary)
Alafaya Branch
Chickasaw Branch
Eatonville Branch
Fairview Shores Branch
Hiawassee Branch
Maitland Public Library*
North Orange Branch
Orlando Public Library
South Creek Branch
South Trail Branch
Southeast Branch
Southwest Branch
Washington Park Branch
West Oaks Branch and Genealogy Center
Windermere Branch
Winter Garden Branch
Winter Park Library*
* Not affiliated with the Orange County Library System
Community Centers (M-F 8am to 5pm)
East Orange Community Center (Noon to 5pm)
12050 E Colonial Dr., Orlando, FL 32826
407-254-9619
Holden Heights Community Center
1201 20th St., Orlando, FL 32805
407-836-6777
John Bridges Community Center
445 W 13th St., Apopka, FL 32703
407-836-6722
Maxey Community Center
830 Klondike Rd., Winter Garden, FL 34787
407-254-1973
Multicultural Center
7149 W Colonial Dr., Orlando, FL 32818
407-836-8404
Taft Community Center (Noon to 5pm)
9450 S. Orange Ave., Orlando, FL 32824
407-254-1951
Willow Street Community Center
6565 Willow St., Zellwood, FL 32798
407-836-6770
Homeless Shelters (Hours Vary)
Christian Service Center
Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida
