FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 15, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed May 19 through May 23, 2025, as South Carolina Heat Safety Week. As temperatures begin to rise across that state, officials are urging residents to prioritize heat safety ahead of the summer season.
This statewide initiative is a joint effort 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.
“Extreme heat can be just as dangerous as other severe weather hazards,” said John Quagliariello, Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the National Weather Service Columbia Office. “It’s crucial that we take heat safety seriously—especially vulnerable populations such as older adults, children, outdoor workers, and those with underlying health conditions.”
Heat Safety Week will include daily themes to educate the public on the dangers of excessive heat and the steps they can take to stay safe:
May 19: Heat-related illness awareness
May 20: Check on your family, neighbors, and friends
May 21: Heatstroke prevention tips
May 22: Heat safety and outdoor recreation
May 23: Staying safe in the sun (Don’t Fry Day)
Assistant State Climatologist Melissa Griffin said, “Heat waves generally occur during the summer months, when weather patterns are slow to shift, but can occur late in the spring and into the middle of fall.” She also stated that heat has been the leading cause of weather-related fatalities nationwide since 1991. She encouraged South Carolina residents and visitors to pay close attention to local weather forecasts from the National Weather Service and local meteorologists.
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.
"A car, even in moderate temperatures, can become dangerously hot very quickly,” said Kevin Poore, Director of Safe Kids South Carolina and DPH's Child Passenger Safety Coordinator. “It's important to create habits which include checking for children and pets upon exiting your vehicle, as well as preventing unauthorized access to cars by keeping your doors locked. Finally, always be willing to take action and immediately call 911 when you see a child left alone in a car."
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 209 hospitalizations and 1,814 emergency department visits for heat related illness in South Carolina from May to September in 2022, the most recent year for which data is available.
Tips for Staying Safe in the Heat:
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.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Sept. 29, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a raccoon found near Ella Street and Sunset Drive in Chester, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. No people are known to have been exposed at this time. One dog was exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Sept. 28, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Due to expected arrival and potential impacts of potential Tropical Storm Imelda, the S.C. Dept. of Public Health (DPH) has authorized a one-time early refill of Schedule III-V prescriptions for valid refills that are due through Saturday, Oct. 4.
Dispensers shall pull all original controlled substances prescriptions and document the early refill information in detail, including, but not limited to, date, time, reason for early refill, and pharmacist signature.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Sept. 26, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed a case of measles in an Upstate resident. This is the fourth confirmed case of measles reported in South Carolina since July 2025.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Sept. 25, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a raccoon found near McLeod Road and Exit 62 Interstate 95 in Walterboro, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. One person was exposed and has been referred to their health care provider.