Did you know that an average of 1,500 Americans die each year from excessive heat? This number is more than the deaths from hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and lightning combined, making heat waves America’s most deadly type of hazardous weather. Heat causes harm by overloading the body’s heat removal system. When heat gain becomes greater than heat removal, the body’s core temperature rises, causing cramps, exhaustion and even heat stroke or death. Heat stroke occurs when the body’s core temperature reaches 104 degrees fahrenheit and death from heat is expected when core temperature reaches 107 degrees. The very young and the very old, the homeless, and those with obesity, heart diesease or poor circulation conditions are at especially high-risk for heat-related health issues.
Viewer Tip: Protect your health on hot days. Most important is to keep hydrated and avoid or minimize strenuous activity. Those especially vulnerable to high temperatures should seek protection inside an air-conditioned building when possible. Children’s body temperatures increase at a rate 3-5 times faster than adults. During extended periods of high temperatures, help others by watching out for young children, seniors and neighbors living alone.
Season: Summer
This information is from Weather and Health, an online course developed by NEEF and the COMET Program. Access it free online: www.meted.ucar.edu/bmet_training.php.
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