American Red Cross Urges Caution During Sweltering Summer

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 400 Americans die each year due to summer's heat and humidity. Furthermore, the National Weather Service declares that excessive heat was the No. 1 weather-related killer, causing more fatalities per year than floods, lightning, tornadoes, hurricanes, winter storms and extreme cold from 1994 to 2003.

Everyone is at risk when temperatures rise above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, but the elderly and the very young are most susceptible to heat and heat-related illnesses. Heat-related illnesses can cause serious injury and even death if unattended. Signs of heat-related illnesses include nausea, dizziness, flushed or pale skin, heavy sweating and headaches.

Victims of heat-related illness should be moved to a cool place, given cool water to drink and ice packs or cool, wet cloths should be applied to the skin. If a victim refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness, call 911 or the local emergency number immediately.

Heat-related illness is preventable. The American Red Cross offers the following tips for staying cool and safe this season: