Safe Travels! Your guide to surviving extreme heat this holiday season

As travellers prepare to set off on summer trips, scorching temperatures lie in wait.

Above-average temperatures could be on the books this summer, according to forecasters, and a developing El Niño event could spell warmer weather later in the year or next summer. Sizzling temperatures are more than an inconvenience: they can cause heat exhaustion and life-threatening heat stroke.

Travellers can take precautions to have fun with heat preparedness in mind.

“The same way that we prepare for more extreme travel in the cold, we should start to consider those tips to keep us safe in the summer months,” said Dr Alexander Azan with NYU Langone Health, who co-directs the Project HEATWAVE initiative.

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Check the forecast, survey your travel companions

Before taking off, check the air temperatures for both day and night, as well as the heat index, which takes humidity into account, Azan said.

If temperatures look scorching, stay flexible. Relocate to cooler regions along the coast or at higher elevations. Plan more strenuous outdoor activities like hiking or long walks during the early morning or late evening hours, outside of peak heat windows. A midday movie, museum visit, or coffee shop break may be more suitable.

Check whether your lodging will have reliable air conditioning and whether the region has had recent power blackouts or brownouts. You can also search for public facilities like cooling centres, and note key phone numbers to report medical emergencies.

Sun bathers apply sunscreen on the beach at Camp Cove, in Sydney, Australia. File photo/Reuters

In addition to what you're bringing, think about who you're bringing. People with certain medical conditions or on certain medications may be more vulnerable to heat while travelling.

“A lot of the prescription drugs that we take for common conditions like high blood pressure, anxiety, and depression actually interrupt our body’s ability to thermoregulate,” said Ashley Ward, director of the Heat Policy Innovation Hub at Duke University.

Older adults, those who may be pregnant, young children, and infants are also especially susceptible — so adjust plans accordingly. Carrying a baby against your body can transfer additional heat, for example.

Pack a reusable water bottle and bring light-coloured, breathable clothing that will keep you cool. Don’t forget sunscreen, sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, and a cooling towel. A portable fan can be useful too, but avoid using it during particularly high temperatures since it will just blow hot air back at you.

Keep car safety in mind during road trips

If you're planning a road trip, get your vehicle inspected a few weeks beforehand to make sure everything is in good condition, especially the engine cooling system and the car battery. If you'll be driving abroad, ask whether the rental car will have air conditioning.

Pack water and snacks to keep passengers and pets energised during the drive, and take breaks to hydrate and stretch — but don't leave young children, pets, or older adults alone in the car even for a few minutes.

People cover themselves on a hot summer day in New Delhi. PTI

Keep the car as cool as possible by parking in shaded areas and using a windscreen protector. When entering a steamy car, turn on the air conditioning but turn off recirculation to keep stale air from cycling. Roll down the windows a bit, then close them and turn recirculation on once the car starts to cool.

To avoid getting stuck in the heat, don’t drive on less than a quarter tank of fuel, said AAA senior automotive manager David Bennett. If you do get stuck and the engine is still running, you can cycle it on and off every few minutes so the air conditioning can still cool the car. Don't walk along the side of the road in searing temperatures to search for help; instead, stay in the car or nearby shade and put reflectors or cones in front of the vehicle. Bring an extra charger that plugs into the car so you can call for help if needed.

Stay flexible, recognise signs of heat illness

Travellers should be mindful of how their behaviour changes on holiday. Spending long hours outdoors, participating in intense activities, or consuming more alcohol than usual can increase heat-related risks.

People often get into trouble when they ignore both environmental conditions and the warning signals their bodies are giving them. “They think they can push through. That is a mistake,” Ward said.

During the day’s exploring, employ the buddy system and look out for signs of heat illness, such as feeling dizzy, experiencing nausea or muscle cramps, and sweating with cool and clammy skin. If you or a travel partner starts to feel unwell, get to a shaded area and take sips of water while loosening tight clothing.

A person uses an umbrella to shelter from the sun outside the Louvre amid a heatwave in Paris. File photo/Reuters

If symptoms worsen to slurred speech, loss of consciousness, extreme confusion, or feeling hot to the touch, seek help immediately. That could indicate something more serious, like heat stroke.

If extreme heat makes a trip untenable, there are ways to recoup costs. Adding a cancel-for-any-reason benefit to your travel insurance can offer partial reimbursement if things get too hot. There are also services like Sensible Weather and WeatherPromise, which reimburse travel and lodging costs for every day a trip is disrupted by rain, heavy snowfall, or high heat. Customers can add a weather guarantee to their cart at extra cost when booking with these organisations' registered travel and hotel partners.

As temperatures continue to climb, experts say the most important thing holidaymakers can do is listen to their bodies and remain flexible.

By staying aware, taking steps to cool down, and adjusting plans where necessary, travellers can help ensure their trip remains both safe and enjoyable.

FAQs

1. What is the best time to do outdoor activities in extreme heat?

Early mornings and late evenings are safest, as temperatures are lower and the risk of heat-related illness is reduced.

2. Who is most vulnerable to heat while travelling?

Older adults, pregnant individuals, young children, and people on certain medications or with medical conditions are more susceptible.

3. What are the warning signs of heat stroke?

Symptoms include confusion, slurred speech, loss of consciousness, and hot, dry skin — all of which require immediate medical attention.

With inputs from agencies