New Jersey Department of Health Encourages Residents to Take Heat Safety Precautions During Heat Wave

New Jersey's blood supply critically low at start of second heat wave

TRENTON, NJ - With another heat wave bringing dangerously hot weather to New Jersey, State health officials urge residents and visitors to take precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses and deaths. All eligible New Jerseyans are also encouraged to donate blood amid a critical shortage of blood products in the state.

"We cannot overstate how important it is to take extreme heat seriously, no matter how young or old, healthy or not," said Dr. Raynard E. Washington, New Jersey Health Commissioner. "Too many lives were lost during the most recent extreme heat weather event. We must all remain vigilant and follow heat safety precautions during periods of dangerously high temperatures."

Heat safety precautions include:

• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water, even before feeling thirsty.
• Limit time outdoors: Check your local weather report and avoid being outdoors during the hottest hours of the day. If you must be outdoors, stay in the shade and take breaks from the sun to cool down. Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing and a hat with a wide brim.
• Check on family, friends, neighbors, and people experiencing homelessness: While some people are more at risk for heat-related illness and death, during extreme heat, everyone is affected. Offer your help and connect others with local cooling centers, hydration resources, or other community services.
• Never leave children, people with disabilities, or pets in a parked car: Temperatures can spike to dangerous levels within minutes. Cracking a window open will not help.
• Know the signs of heat-related illness: Heat exhaustion symptoms include heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and muscle cramps. Heatstroke is a medical emergency and can cause very high body temperature, red, hot, dry skin (with no sweating), a rapid pulse, and confusion. Learn more
• Get help: If you aren't feeling well or see someone unresponsive or unconscious, call 9-1-1 immediately. Don't dismiss your symptoms or assume they are sleeping.
• Find a cooling center: If you or someone you know does not have air conditioning available, find a cooling center by calling 2-1-1 or visiting nj211.org.
• Learn more: Visit nj.gov/heat for more information and heat-related resources.

During the most recent extreme heat wave in New Jersey, which occurred between July 1 through July 4, emergency department visits totaled 387. The visits were by people of all ages, underscoring that this extreme heat can affect everyone.

Additionally, the Department is preliminarily reporting 29 suspected heat-related deaths in New Jersey during that period. These tragic losses highlight the serious public health risks associated with extreme heat.

Some people are at greater risk for heat-related illness and heat-related deaths, although everyone should take extreme heat seriously. These include:

• People older than 65 years
• People who live alone
• Unhoused people
• People without access to air conditioning
• People with chronic health conditions (e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory disease)
• People on certain medications (e.g., diuretics, some antipsychotic medications, some antidepressants, some antihypertensive agents)
• Outdoor workers and workers who work indoors with no air conditioning
• Infants and children

"We remain committed to working with our partners to promote heat safety, strengthen preparedness efforts, and help protect the health and well-being of all residents, visitors, and animals in New Jersey during periods of extreme weather," added Commissioner Washington. "Beyond the immediate health threat posed by dangerous heat, it's important to remember that extreme weather tends to create additional disruptions that can have less visible but far-reaching impacts on our communities."

Blood donors needed

High temperatures and severe weather can lead to canceled blood drives, low donor turnout, and staffing challenges that create shortages in the blood supply.

New Jersey's blood supply is critically low, with New Jersey Blood Services declaring a state of emergency after the earlier heat wave, severe storms, and power outages resulted in a drop in blood donations. The American Red Cross has also declared an Emergency Blood Shortage nationally, citing an increased need for blood products at the same time that supplies are low.

Blood products - including whole blood, platelets, and plasma - have a limited shelf life and cannot be manufactured, so the health care system relies on volunteer blood donors to ensure a safe and stable supply of blood products used for planned and emergency surgeries and to treat people with critical illnesses. One whole blood donation takes about an hour and can help save the lives of up to three people.

Eligible New Jerseyans can learn more and make an appointment to give blood at a blood donation center or event near them:

• American Red Cross Services
• Hunterdon Healthcare
• Miller-Keystone Blood Center
• New York Blood Center
• RWJBarnabas Health
• Vitalant Blood Services

Most individuals who are at least 17 years old (or 16 years old with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds, and are in generally good health are eligible to donate blood in New Jersey.

General Resources on Heat Safety

• New Jersey Heat Safety and Resources: NJ.gov/heat
• Ready.gov Extreme Heat - Ready.gov/heat
• Find a cooling center: nj211.org/nj-cooling-centers
• Chill Out NJ map: NJDEP| Heat Hub of NJ | Learn Where to Chill
• NJ Heat-Related Illness Dashboard

Heat-related Illness (HRI) Prevention Guidance

• Key messages for Health Care Providers: Heat Advisory
• Resources for General Public
• • Heat Safety General Tips
  • Heat-Related Illness Prevention - [English] [Español]
• HRI prevention resources for vulnerable populations and high-risk settings