Approximately 34 Sarasota County residents are hospitalized each summer for heat-related illness, according to Florida Health data cited by UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County. The county extension office is trying to drive that number down with a targeted outreach campaign that puts free cooling supplies and safety education directly into the neighborhoods most at risk.

The program, led by sustainability outreach coordinator Michelle Marinangel, focuses on three areas identified through a 2024 partnership with NASA DEVELOP: North Sarasota, Venice, and North Port. Satellite data from five summers showed those communities have both higher land surface temperatures and higher concentrations of vulnerable residents, including elderly populations, outdoor workers, and families below the poverty line.

North Sarasota logged average daytime land surface temperatures above 100°F. Venice has a large population of residents 65 and older. North Port has the county's highest percentage of elderly residents in one census tract, combined with elevated poverty and unemployment.

Since launching in 2024, the program has reached more than 1,400 residents through community events, classes, and youth programs, according to UF/IFAS Extension's July 15 blog post. At events, staff hand out cooling towels, cold gel packs, handheld fans, electrolyte packets, and water bottles at no cost.

One program, Heat Quest, teaches children ages 7 to 13 about heat illness and safety through hands-on activities. Kids use heat sensors to measure temperature differences across surfaces and play a modified freeze tag game. The program has been presented at Newtown Estates Park.

A free "Heat and Sun Safety for Outdoor Workers" class is scheduled for Thursday, July 23, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the UF/IFAS Extension office, 6600 Clark Road in Sarasota. Marinangel, family and consumer sciences agent Amber Daniels, and commercial horticulture specialist Tracy Calla will cover UV overexposure, heat illness recognition, hydration schedules, and emergency response. Participants will build a free customized heat and sun safety kit. Registration is open at ufsarasotaext.eventbrite.com.

In 2023, Sarasota County endured 63 consecutive days with a heat index above 100°F and a full week exceeding 110°F, according to Land-Grant Impacts. Since 1970, average daytime summer temperatures in the county have risen 2.6°F and nighttime temperatures have climbed 5.9°F, according to the county's heat vulnerability story map.

Residents looking to escape the heat can visit county cooling centers, including Selby Library at 1331 1st St., Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library at 2801 Newtown Blvd., and Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library in Venice at 4143 Woodmere Park Blvd. All are open Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For questions about UF/IFAS Extension programs, call 941-861-9900 or email [email protected].