Heat

Heat is one of the leading weather-related killers in the United States, resulting in hundreds of fatalities each year. Heat can be very taxing on the body.

How to Stay Safe

Slow down. Reduce, eliminate or reschedule strenuous activities until the coolest time of the day.
Dress for summer. Wear lightweight, loose fitting, light-colored clothing to reflect heat and sunlight.
Minimize direct exposure to the sun. Sunburn reduces your body's ability to dissipate heat.
Eat light, cool, easy-to-digest foods such as fruit or salads.
Use air conditioners or spend time in air-conditioned locations.
Take a cool bath or shower.
Do not direct the flow of portable electric fans toward yourself when room temperature is hotter than 90°F. The dry blowing air will dehydrate you faster, endangering your health.

Heat-related illnesses

Everyone can be vulnerable to heat, but some more are prone to heat-related illnesses than others. Look out for these symptoms.

Heat cramps: Maybe the first sign of heat-related illness with painful muscle cramps usually in the legs, abdomen with heavy sweating.
Heat exhaustion: Heavy sweating, weakness, cool, pale clammy skin fast or weak pulse, muscle cramps dizziness, nausea or vomiting, headache.
Heat Stroke: Throbbing headache, confusion, nausea, body temperature above 103 degrees, red or damp skin rapid and strong pulse, fainting.

For more information, refer to the National Weather Service at weather.gov.