FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MAY 12, 2026 South Carolina Gears Up for Heat Safety Week as Temperatures Rise COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster has declared May 18 to May 22, 2026, as South Carolina Heat Safety Week. As temperatures start to rise across the state, officials are urging residents to focus on heat safety before the summer season. This statewide effort is a collaboration between the S.C. State Climatology Office, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, the National Weather Service, the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, and the S.C. Department of Public Health. “Excessive heat is the number one weather-related killer in the United States. It doesn’t leave behind the visible destruction of a hurricane or tornado, so its danger is often overlooked,” said John Quagliariello, the Meteorologist-in-Charge of the Columbia National Weather Service Office. “The true tragedy is that, with proper awareness and preparation, the vast majority of these heat-related fatalities are entirely preventable.” Quagliariello noted that there is still a risk of heat-related illness at lower heat thresholds that may not trigger advisories or warnings, especially for heat-sensitive populations. South Carolina Heat Safety Week coincides with the National Heat Safety Campaign hosted by the National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS), a collaboration of federal partners, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Each day during the week will feature daily themes to educate the public about the dangers of excessive heat and the steps they can take to stay safe. May 18: Heat-related illness awareness May 19: Heat safety tips May 20: Check on your family, friends, teammates, and neighbors May 21: Heat safety and outdoor recreation May 22: Staying safe in the sun (Don’t Fry Day) Assistant State Climatologist Melissa Griffin noted that last summer, overnight temperatures were up to 10 degrees above normal, heightening heat risks and providing little relief. Dangerously hot and humid conditions at the end of July prompted Extreme Heat Warnings for most of the Coastal Plain, while Heat Advisories were issued for the Midlands and Upstate, with heat indices ranging from 110 to 118 degrees. The National Weather Service station at the Mount Pleasant Airport recorded a heat index of 115 degrees on July 26, and the NWS station at the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport reported a heat index of 107 degrees on July 27. The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) places an emphasis on preventing vehicular heat stroke, especially among young children, who are particularly at risk. More than 50% of child heatstroke fatalities are the result of a child being forgotten in a vehicle. Additionally, more than 25% of child heatstroke fatalities happen because a child gains unauthorized access to a parked vehicle and becomes entrapped, like getting locked in the trunk of a car. “Even on a mild day, the inside of a parked car can heat up to dangerous levels very quickly,” said Kevin Poore, Director of Safe Kids South Carolina and DPH’s Child Passenger Safety Coordinator. “Children and pets are especially vulnerable because their bodies can’t regulate heat as well as adults. To prevent tragedy, it’s essential to make a habit of always locking your doors when a vehicle is not in use and checking the back seat every time you exit your vehicle. A quick glance can save a life. If you ever see a child or pet alone in a car, take action immediately and call 911.” DPH has developed an interactive Heat Related Illness Dashboard, which includes interactive data pages that allow you to view data for the state and each county. There were 246 hospitalizations and 2,014 emergency department visits for heat-related illness in South Carolina from May to September in 2024, the most recent year for which data is available. Tips for Staying Safe in the Heat: - Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
- Avoid strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day (typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.).
- Wear lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothing.
- Take frequent breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas.
- Never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles, even for a few minutes.
- Check on neighbors or those without access to air conditioning.
Additional resources can be found online at weather.gov/safety/heat, scemd.org/prepare/, and dph.sc.gov/health-wellness/health-safety/heat-related-illnesses. For media inquiries, please contact: National Weather Service, Charleston – Emily McGraw (emily.mcgraw@noaa.gov) National Weather Service, Columbia – Steve Lavoie (steve.lavoie@noaa.gov), Brad Carlberg (brad.carlberg@noaa.gov), John Quagliariello (john.quagliariello@noaa.gov) National Weather Service, Greer – Clay Chaney (clay.chaney@noaa.gov) National Weather Service, Wilmington – Ian Boatman (ian.boatman@noaa.gov), Tim Armstrong (timothy.armstrong@noaa.gov) SCEMD – Bridget Frame (bframe@emd.sc.gov) SCDPH – Casey White (media@dph.sc.gov) SCDNR – Cheyenne Twilley (TwilleyC@dnr.sc.gov) | 
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