Mobile Distribution Heat Safety Tips

It’s so hot you could probably fry an egg on the hood of your car while waiting in line for a mobile food distribution. But, unfortunately, hunger doesn’t take the summer off. Regardless of the temperature outside, people still need food to eat, which means our work never stops.

Our partner agencies may cancel distributions if there are heat advisories in place. These updates will be posted on our food locator at www.harvesters.org/foodlocator. When that is not the case, please follow these summer safety tips to make your experience at a mobile as comfortable as possible:

1. Stay hydrated

If you’re waiting in line for food, bring cold water with you. If you’re helping with distribution, remember to take plenty of water breaks.

2. Avoid too much exposure to the sun and heat

Bring a sun shade for your car if you have one. If your vehicle doesn’t have AC or you don’t want to leave it running for a long time, ask a staff member or volunteer if you can wait inside or in the shade until the distribution starts. If working outside, remember to wear sunscreen or a hat and get out of the sun when possible.

3. Know the signs of heat exhaustion and stroke

Heat exhaustion happens when someone is sitting or working in the heat for an extended period of time. The symptoms are cool, pale or flushed skin, heavy sweating, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and exhaustion. Move to a cooler place, apply wet cloths, rest and drink water every 15 minutes if you’re experiencing heat exhaustion.

A heat stroke is a life-threatening condition that happens when your temperature control system stops working and doesn’t allow you to sweat. Signs are hot, red skin, rapid or weak pulse, rapid or shallow breathing, fever and changes in consciousness. Call 911 and move the person to a cooler space until help arrives.

Thank you all for enduring undesirable conditions to take care of your families and neighbors in the community. Please stay safe and let us know if we can help!