Summer Heat Safety

Summer means longer, warmer days, but during extremely hot weather, you are at-risk of developing a heat-related illness, because the body loses its ability to cool itself. Heat-related illness can come on quickly, ranging from mild heat cramps to more serious, life-threatening heat stroke, also known as sunstroke.

Exposure to a hot environment and strenuous activity for extended periods lead to an increase in body temperature. Wearing excessive clothing, drinking alcohol, and allowing the body to become dehydrated are also risky behaviors during hot weather.

Sunburn, red painful skin that is hot to the touch, can result in skin damage, blistering, infection, and over time, possibly cancer, but sunburn also traps body heat under the skin and limits the body's ability to release heat. If it is severe, sunburn can result in overheating and illness.