LAS VEGAS (AP) — Sweeping temperatures across the United States have already caused more than a dozen deaths in Texas alone, affecting millions from the Northwest to the South.
And there are still months to go until the end of summer.
Here’s a guide to staying cool and safe from the sweltering temperatures as the latest heat wave to ravage the country spreads east:
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WHY IS EXTREME HEAT DANGEROUS?
Heat kills more Americans than any other weather event, including tornadoes and flooding, although most heat-related deaths can be prevented through outreach and intervention activities, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, for its acronym in English).
“Heat is the silent enemy. Nobody thinks about it,” said Ben Zaitchik, a professor and climatologist at Johns Hopkins University whose research includes heat waves. “It’s getting hotter almost everywhere. That means even without a particular weather event, like what we’re seeing in Texas right now, we’re seeing temperatures that we’re not used to, and that in itself is a risk.” .
Normally the body cools itself through sweating, but extreme heat can disrupt a person’s ability to sweat, potentially leading to heat exhaustion or heat stroke, organ failure, or death.
Older adults, young children, and people with chronic illnesses like diabetes are most at risk. But that doesn’t mean healthy people are immune, said Ashley Ward, director of Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions.
Heat can have detrimental effects on people who work or exercise outdoors, for example, and also on people who are homeless or have no or no efficient air conditioning.
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WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF A HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS?
A person can develop heat stroke if the body temperature reaches or exceeds 39 degrees Celsius (103 Fahrenheit). Other symptoms include nausea, headache, thirst, and a rapid heartbeat.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calls heat stroke a medical emergency and recommends that people with symptoms call 911.
Symptoms of heat stroke include excessive sweating, muscle cramps, dizziness, vomiting, and cold, pale, or clammy skin. The CDC said medical attention should be sought if those symptoms worsen or last longer than an hour.
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WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T HAVE AIR CONDITIONING AT HOME?
Spending a few hours in an air-conditioned space can help keep your body cooler when you return to the heat, according to the CDC. So take advantage of air-conditioned public spaces like libraries and shopping malls.
During the day, cover windows, turn off lights, and avoid using the stove or oven. If you live in a dry area, hang up damp towels to cool the room.
At night, if temperatures drop, keep windows and blinds open.
Ward, the Duke researcher, said it’s also important to think about alternatives if you don’t have air conditioning. After taking a cold shower or bath, for example, sit in front of a fan while your skin is still damp.
He also recommends soaking your feet above the ankles and arms above the elbows in cold water for 10 to 15 minutes.
If you only have one fan, Ward said, prioritize creating a cool sleeping space over cooling common areas.
“This is when your body really recovers from exposure to heat during the day,” he added.
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WHAT HAPPENS IF I HAVE TO BE OUTDOORS?
Stay hydrated and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink fluids.
Limit your sun exposure by staying in the shade or using an umbrella. Wear sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat or cap.
If you work outdoors and have access to fresh water, consider wetting your shirt and repeating the process every hour or when it dries out, Ward said.
The homeless should go to shelters to receive information about local resources, such as temporary cooling centers.
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SHOULD I WORRY ABOUT BURN INJURIES?
Doctors at burn centers in Arizona and Nevada have warned of injuries from contact with the asphalt of the streets and other surfaces that are burning.
This can happen, for example, if you collapse from dehydration or have heat stroke and cannot get up off the ground.
But burns can also be caused by touching hot surfaces, such as leather seats or the concrete of swimming pools, so be careful when touching a metal handle or seat belt buckle and when getting out of a swimming pool.
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HOW CAN I PROTECT MY PETS?
Take them out for a walk when the weather is cooler, either early in the morning or at night, and protect your furry friends’ paws with breathable booties.
Keep your pets indoors if possible, and if they must go outside, make sure they have access to shade.
“A doghouse itself is not a shade,” Ward said. “That’s an oven.”
And never leave your pet in a hot vehicle.
