Table 3.

Personal behaviors to avoid or deal with heat as reported by residents of Detroit, Michigan; New York, New York; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Phoenix, Arizona during interviews taking place in 2009 and 2010.

In-home Behaviors	Out-of-home Behaviors
Stays indoors.	Alters daily schedule to avoid the heat.
Uses air conditioner or swamp cooler.	Goes to cooler indoor locations:
Uses floor or ceiling fans.	Friends’ or relatives’ homes
Opens windows.	Senior or cooling centers
Closes blinds, drapes or shades.	Libraries
Goes to the basement.	Private businesses.a
Dresses in cooler or lighter clothing or wears less clothing.	Goes swimming in a swimming pool or walks through a sprinkler.
Fans self with a hand fan.	Sits in the shade or the yard.
Drinks non-alcoholic beverages to cool off or stay hydrated.	Goes to cooler outdoor locations, e.g., a park, river or location with a mister.
Eats light meals that don’t require cooking.	Wears a hat when outside.
Doesn’t use other appliances as much.	Carries an umbrella.
Eats ice cream or popsicles.	Avoids direct sunlight.
Stocks supplies or water in case of heat wave.	Carries beverages when going outside.
Takes cold shower or bath.	Uses door-to-door public transportation.
Uses a wet cloth or ice pack on skin.
Engages in less physical activity.

^aPrivate businesses which respondents traveled to in order to stay cool were stores, malls, restaurants, casinos, movie theaters and concert or recital venues.