Heat related deaths and illnesses are preventable. Despite this fact, approximately 1,220 people in the United States are killed by extreme heat every year.
This website provides helpful tips, information, and resources to help you stay safe in the extreme heat this summer.
What is extreme heat?
Take steps to protect yourself from extreme heat.
Extreme heat is defined as summertime temperatures that are much hotter and/or humid than average. Because some places are hotter than others, this depends on what’s considered average for a particular location at that time of year. Humid and muggy conditions can make it seem hotter than it really is.
Health effects
Know the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses.
Know the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses.
Heat-related illnesses, like heat exhaustion or heat stroke, happen when the body is not able to properly cool itself. While the body normally cools itself by sweating, during extreme heat, this might not be enough. In these cases, a person's body temperature rises faster than it can cool itself down. This can cause damage to the brain and other vital organs.
Some factors that might increase your risk of developing a heat-related illness include:
High levels of humidity
Obesity
Fever
Dehydration
Prescription drug use
Heart disease
Mental illness
Poor circulation
Sunburn
Alcohol use
Who is at increased risk
Know what factors can make you more likely to get sick from extreme heat.
Older adults, the very young, and people with mental illness and chronic diseases are at highest risk. However, even young and healthy people can be affected if they participate in strenuous physical activities during hot weather.
Summertime activity, whether on the playing field or the construction site, must be balanced with actions that help the body cool itself to prevent heat-related illness. Use this website to learn more on how to stay safe in the heat this summer, including how to prevent, recognize, and cope with heat-related illness.
Tips to stay safe
Protect yourself when it's hot by staying cool, hydrated, and informed.
Protect yourself and others when it's hot outside by staying cool, staying hydrated, and staying informed. Learn additional tips for staying safe during extreme heat.
The Connecticut Public Health Association is an affiliated association of the American Public Health Association (APHA). APHA is the national voice of public health and champions the health of all people and all communities. They are the only
organization that combines a 140-plus year perspective, the ability to influence federal policy to improve the public’s health and a member community from all public health disciplines and over 40 countries. Learn more at www.apha.org.
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