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9 tips on how to stay safe from heat

01:00 PM
June 22, 2024

Heat wave: silent killer
9 tips to stay safe from the heat

staying coolCooling off during a heat wave

A major heat wave is unfurling across the Midwest and Northeastern U.S., with record-setting high temperatures that could reach 100 degrees in a few places on Wednesday and Thursday.

According to a study conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, about 735 people die each year due to heat-related illness, making it the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S. Heat-related deaths were reported most frequently among males and among adults aged 65 years or more. Whether you're in a commonly hot place like the South, or expecting a heat wave in your area, here are 9 useful tips on how to take care of yourself and your loved ones from extreme temperatures.

9 Tips to stay safe from the heat:

  • Stay properly hydrated
  • Rest and cool down in the shade during breaks
  • Avoid working outside during the hottest part of the day
  • Know symptoms, prevention, and emergency response to prevent heat-related illness and death.
  • Check the weather forecast ahead of time to be better prepared
  • Never leave a child or pet unattended in a vehicle, even with the windows down and even for just a minute.
  • Teach children not to play in, on, or around cars. They could accidentally trap themselves in a hot vehicle.
  • Always lock car doors and trunks -- even at home -- and keep keys out of children's reach.
  • Always make sure children have left the car when you reach your destination. Don't leave sleeping infants in the car, ever.

Protecting loved ones

Texas, Florida, and California report the most child deaths due to being left inside hot cars. Children’s bodies warm faster than adults, making them especially vulnerable to heat exposure. Always check the back seat.

Other sensitive groups include people with disabilities, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions like heart disease, obesity and mental illness, are more susceptible to the heat. Check on your elderly relatives and neighbors to make sure they have a cool place to go during the hottest time of the day.

Remember our furry friends. Make sure they have plenty of water and cool and shaded place to hang out during the day. They don't call it the dog days of summer for nothing.

Remember, you can track heatwaves right on the app using the interactive TemperatureRadar.

Weather & Radar USA editorial team
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