Did you know that heat is the number one weather killer in the United States? It takes more lives than any other weather condition yet it is often the weather condition people take the least precautions for.

For example, according to the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) heat waves have been responsible for more deaths in Wisconsin than all other natural disasters combined. The hot summer weather in 1995 claimed the lives of 154 residents and forced another 400 to seek medical treatment for their heat related conditions.

Young people and elderly face the highest risk of heat related deaths.

So be aware of the dangers of extreme and prolonged heat and humidity and know what precautions to take.

A great source of information is the American Red Cross who has an article titled “Heat Waves”

It encourages people to know what the following terms mean:

Heat wave - a prolonged period of excessive heat and humidity.

Heat index - A number in degrees Fahrenheit (F) that tells how hot it really feels when relative humidity is added to the actual air temperature. Keep in mind that exposure to full sun can increase the heat index by 15 degrees F

Heat cramps - They are muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion and are an early signal that a person’s body is having trouble with the hot weather.

Heat exhaustion - It typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs. This results in a form of mild shock. If not treated, a person may suffer heat stroke.

Heat stroke/Sunstroke - It is life-threatening. A person’s temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly.

Here is what the American Red Cross recommends if a heat wave is predicted or is occurring:
- Avoid strenuous activity. If you can’t avoid it do it during the coolest part of the day which is typically 4 am to 7 am.

- Stay inside as much as possible. If air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine and try to go to a public building that does have air conditioning for several hours each day during the heat wave.

- Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun’s heat.

- Drink plenty of water regularly and often. Drink even if you do not feel thirsty. Most experts say that by the time a person feels thirsty they are already dehydrated. Remember that water is best to drink and to avoid beverages with alcohol or caffeine because they make the heat’s effect on the body worse. Beer is one of the worst things to drink.

- Eat small, frequent meals. Stay away from high protein foods because they increase a person’s metabolic heat.

- Don’t use salt tablets unless advised to do so by a physician.

What are the signs of heat emergencies? According to the American Red Cross:

For heat exhaustion it’s: cool, moist, pale, or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal.

For heat stroke it’s: hot, red skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Body temperature can be as high as 105 degrees F. If the person was sweating from heavy work or exercise, skin may be wet; otherwise, it will feel dry.

Treatment of Heat Emergencies Information from the American Red Cross:
For heat cramps: get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. Lightly stretch the affected muscle and replenish fluids. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes.

For heat exhaustion: Get the person out of the heat and into a cooler place. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. If the person is conscious, give cool water to drink. Make sure the person drinks slowly. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Let the person rest in a comfortable position, and watch carefully for changes in his/her condition.

For heat stroke: Help is needed fast. Call 911 or your local emergency number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Immerse victim in a cool bath, or wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it. Watch for signals of breathing problems. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body any way you can. If the victim refuses water or is vomiting or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.

The National Weather Service has procedures in place to alert people of excessive heat and humidity. It makes a weather radio very handy to have because heat alerts will be broadcast on them. Click here for the NOAA’s heat index chart which shows at what temperatures the likelihood of heat disorders with prolonged exposure or strenuous could occur.

It’s especially important to be aware of the dangers of heat when camping because campers are often outside most of the day and may be in remote areas that don’t have emergency medical care quickly accessible.

Print out a copy of the American Red Cross brochure “Are You Ready For A Heat Wave” (it’s a pdf file so you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to view and print) and keep it handy at home and while camping.