High temperatures can pose significant health risks, leading to numerous heat-related illnesses and fatalities each year. Creating a personal heat safety plan is essential to staying safe during extreme heat conditions. Caleb Dresser, MD, MPH, from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, highlights that certain groups, such as children, outdoor workers, people with chronic health conditions, and individuals with disabilities, are particularly vulnerable. Children, especially babies, have less capacity to handle high temperatures, while outdoor workers may lack access to shade and perform physically intensive labor, necessitating adequate hydration and breaks. People with chronic conditions like kidney or heart disease may struggle to adapt to heat, and those with disabilities might have difficulties with thermoregulation or taking necessary actions to stay cool.
Dangerous heat results from a combination of high temperatures and humidity, which impede the body’s ability to cool down through sweating. Extremely hot temperatures in dry areas can also be hazardous. The threshold temperature for heat-related health issues varies by region, depending on local adaptation to heat. Even a single hot day can put some people at risk, but prolonged heat waves can overwhelm the body’s physiological reserves, leading to greater health harms and increased need for medical care. Spring and early summer are particularly risky times, as people and organizations may not be fully prepared for hot weather.
To protect yourself, it is crucial to stay informed about weather conditions using apps, websites, TV, or radio, and to sign up for local weather alerts via phone or text. Having a cooling plan is essential, such as identifying cool spaces where you can stay during high temperatures. Consider staying with a neighbor or family member with air conditioning, or utilizing public cooling centers, libraries, or air-conditioned businesses. Hydration is key, so drink plenty of water while avoiding sugary drinks, caffeine, and alcohol. Use fans correctly by dampening clothes or skin when temperatures are very high and seeking cooler locations. Finally, know your personal risks and the signs of heat-related illnesses, which range from heat rash and sunburn to heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Consult your doctor about coping with heat if you have health problems or take certain medications, and familiarize yourself with the symptoms and actions to take during heat emergencies, as detailed by the CDC. By following these steps and staying vigilant about weather conditions, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from the dangers of extreme heat.
