Heat Safety
Summer is perfect for fun in the sun. But as temperatures climb, it’s important to protect your body from heat-related illnesses.
Getting too hot can be fatal. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in California:
- More than 580 people died of heat-related illnesses from 2018-22.
- More than 1,000 people were hospitalized due to heat-related illnesses in 2020.
Read on to learn the difference between common heat-related illnesses and what to do about them.
Which Is It?
Hover over or tap the symptoms of common heat-related illnesses to learn more about them.
Confusion, slurred speech, loss of consciousness, seizures, very high body temperature, profuse sweating or hot, dry skin
These are signs of heat stroke. Call 911 right away. Learn more.
Headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, irritability, thirst, heavy sweating and elevated body temperature
Muscle pain, tea- or cola-colored urine, weakness and exercise intolerance
What Should You Do?
Learn how to respond if a loved one displays these symptoms.
Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It happens when the body can no longer control its temperature. This condition can cause death or permanent disability if the person does not receive emergency care.
If you see signs of heat stroke, call 911 right away. Stay with the person until paramedics arrive and cool him or her quickly. To cool the person down:
- Remove the person’s outer clothing.
- Move the person to a cool, shaded area.
- Place the person in cool water or an ice bath.
- Circulate the air around the person to speed cooling.
- Wet the person’s skin and soak his or her clothing with cool water.
- Place wet cloths or ice on the person’s head, neck, armpits and groin.
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion takes place when the body loses too much water and salt through sweating. If you see signs of heat exhaustion:
- Give the person liquids to drink.
- Remove the person from the hot area.
- Encourage the person to take frequent sips of cool water.
- Remove unnecessary clothing, including shoes and socks.
- Cool the person with cold compresses or have the person wash his or her head, face and neck with cold water.
- Take the person to a clinic or emergency room for medical evaluation and treatment. Call 911 if medical care is not available. Stay with the person until he or she receives care.
Rhabdomyolysis
Rhabdomyolysis is linked with exercising or doing physical labor in the heat. Muscle tissue breaks down and dies quickly, causing irregular heart rhythms, seizures and damage to the kidneys. If you see signs of rhabdomyolysis:
- Encourage the person to drink water.
- Have the person stop physical activity.
- Get the person care at the nearest medical facility.
- Ask caregivers to check the person for rhabdomyolysis with a blood test. This is the only way to find out if he or she has rhabdomyolysis because it shares symptoms with other conditions and dehydration.
Keep Your Cool
The best way to stay safe from heat-related illnesses is to prevent them. To protect your health:
- Drink plenty of water throughout summer days.
- Stay inside and wear loose clothing during heat waves.
- Take heat warnings seriously and plan where you’ll go to cool off.
- Exercise in the mornings or evenings when temperatures are cooler.
- Never leave children, older adults or animals in parked cars. The temperature inside can become dangerous in just 10 minutes, even with the windows down.
Talk to Your Doctor
Your doctor can provide the best advice about how to stay safe from heat-related illnesses. Ask how to prevent heat stroke, heat exhaustion and rhabdomyolysis. If you or someone you know experiences symptoms, get medical care right away.
