BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – With First Alert Weather Days this week and temperatures climbing, Birmingham Fire and Rescue is urging families to take heat safety seriously, especially when it comes to children and seniors.
First responders say July is routinely one of the hottest months of the year, and extreme heat can quickly lead to emergencies like dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
Lt. Darryl Lane with Birmingham Fire and Rescue said people should limit outdoor time during the hottest part of the day.
“One of the things you would want to try to do is limit your time outside and limit your working time. You want to try to limit your time from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.,” Lane said.
Lane said families should also watch for a critical warning sign that the body is overheating.
“One of the most important things you can do is if you notice that you have stopped sweating, that is a sign that you need to go in the house, that you need to go in a shaded area, and you need to go in, especially an air-conditioned location,” he said.
First responders said children and older adults can be especially vulnerable in the heat. Fire officials recommend checking on elderly neighbors and relatives, particularly anyone without reliable air conditioning, and keeping a close eye on children playing outside to make sure they take breaks and drink water.
Birmingham Fire and Rescue also recommends drinking water throughout the day and wearing lightweight, light-colored clothing.
Firefighters said anyone who becomes dizzy, weak, confused, or faints should be moved to a cooler place and checked right away. If symptoms do not improve quickly, call 911.
Get news alerts in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store or subscribe to our email newsletter here.
Copyright 2026 WBRC. All rights reserved.