This summer’s record-setting heat is already having an impact on health. More than a hundred people have died from heat-related illnesses so far this year and hundreds more sought help in hospital emergency rooms, horrible reminders that heat can be as dangerous as any natural or man-made disaster. As with these other emergencies, there are measures you can take to protect your health and your family’s health.

To stay healthy in the heat, it’s important to keep in mind that heat can affect people differently. Elderly people, infants, children, and people with heart disease and other chronic diseases are at higher risk of heat stroke in high temperatures. Even if you’re feeling fine in the heat, help the people around you who are at higher risk. Check on an elderly or sick neighbor and do what you can to help them take precautions, especially if the power goes out or their homes aren’t air conditioned. Of course, outdoor workers need to take special precautions, too. CDC offers great tips on how to protect your health from the heat and has information for these specific groups.

A few things you can do to avoid heat-related illness include:

• Stay hydrated! In high temperatures you may need to drink 2-4 glasses (16-32 ounces all together) of cool liquids per hour! If you have a specific health condition, check with your health care provider on what’s best for you.
Know the signs of heat stroke and what to do for them: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heat_guide-page-3.asp
• Schedule your activities for cooler parts of the day – morning and evening are often much cooler.
• Wear light, loose clothing that covers your skin and sunscreen to protect yourself from sunburn. Sunburn makes it harder for your body to cool down and can make you more dehydrated.
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine – they quickly dehydrate the human body Pace yourself – walk slowly, take frequent breaks in air-conditioned places or shady spots, and don’t try to keep going if you begin to feel dizzy or nauseous.
Keep a close eye on people at higher risk of heat stroke – children, infants, the elderly, and those with chronic diseases.
• Never, ever leave children or pets in the car when it’s hot outside. Temperatures in a car can climb quickly in the summer, becoming deadly hot in just 30 minutes.

Finally, please remember that your pets can also get heat stroke. Every summer, pets die because their families didn’t know that the heat can be just as dangerous for pets as it is for humans. They need shade and water and need to cool off, too. Did you know that dog houses actually make the heat worse? Learn more on protecting your pet (http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/pets_safe_heat_wave.html) and ask your vet for advice specifically for your pet.