Extreme Heat

Extreme Heat - Ready.gov

There is hot, and then there is hot!

Extreme heat is a period of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees for at least two to three days. In extreme heat your body works extra hard to maintain a normal temperature, which can lead to death. Extreme heat is responsible for the highest number of annual deaths among all weather-related hazards.

Older adults, children and sick or overweight individuals are at greater risk from extreme heat.

This guide is an excellent introduction to the topic of extreme heat. Excellent links to other extreme heat related information for further investigation.

Preparing for Extreme Heat

There is hot, and then there is hot!

Extreme heat is a period of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees for at least two to three days. In extreme heat your body works extra hard to maintain a normal temperature, which can lead to death. Extreme heat is responsible for the highest number of annual deaths among all weather-related hazards.

Older adults, children and sick or overweight individuals are at greater risk from extreme heat.

AARP - 8 Types of Medications That Can Make It Harder to Handle the Heat

Common drugs could make hot days more dangerous for many older adults

"Temperatures are soaring in many regions of the country, putting many people — especially older adults, who are most vulnerable to heat’s dangers — at risk for heat-related illness, even death. And one thing that doesn’t help is if you are taking medications that interfere with your body’s ability to cool itself down."

"Several pills and potions can affect how well the body is able to handle heat — an issue that is “particularly important for older people” because they tend to be on more of these medications, says Cecilia Sorensen, M.D., director of the Global Consortium on Climate Health and Education at Columbia University in New York City."

"It’s crucial to pay attention to this often-overlooked side effect during heat waves, which the Environmental Protection Agency says are increasing in both intensity and frequency — but it’s not just those stifling stretches that can be dangerous. Research shows that older patients with chronic medical conditions who take heat-sensitive medications can have medication-related problems throughout the entire summer."

This June 2024, AARP article highlights some of the negative effects of heat on common prescribed medicines.

CDC - Extreme Heat and Your Health

KEY POINTS

• Heat related deaths and illnesses are preventable. Despite this fact, approximately 1,220 people in the United States are killed by extreme heat every year.
• This website provides helpful tips, information, and resources to help you stay safe in the extreme heat this summer.

Extreme heat is defined as summertime temperatures that are much hotter and/or humid than average. Because some places are hotter than others, this depends on what’s considered average for a particular location at that time of year. Humid and muggy conditions can make it seem hotter than it really is.

Better understand the health effects of extreme heat with this June 2024 article from the CDC.

Essential Technology to Have During Natural Disasters

"Free apps and affordable gadgets can help before and after extreme weather."

"Given the frequency and intensity of natural disasters these days, chances are it’s a case of when — not if — extreme weather will affect your life.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says emergency preparedness is critical to help protect your family, your home and your belongings from a myriad of threats, such as wildfires, drought, floods, hurricanes and tornadoes."

“We encourage everyone to be prepared year-round for any disaster, hazard or climate event,” says Jaclyn Rothenberg, FEMA’s director of public affairs. “Know what disasters and hazards could affect your area, how to get emergency alerts and where to go if you and your family need to evacuate.” Rothenberg says this requires having an evacuation plan and practicing it often.

"Technology can play an essential role in emergency preparedness with helpful apps and gadgets to get you through a natural disaster."

For more information, check the website for this 2022 article from AARP.

Prevent Hot Car Deaths

Check the Back Seat

Over the past 25 years, more than 940 children have died of heatstroke, because they were left or became trapped in a hot car. It’s important for everyone to understand that children are more vulnerable to heatstroke and that all hot car deaths are preventable.

Know the Facts:

A child's body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult's.

When a child is left in a vehicle, that child's temperature can rise quickly — and the situation can quickly become dangerous.

Heatstroke begins when the core body temperature reaches about 104 degrees.

A child can die when their body temperature reaches 107 degrees.

In 2022, 33 children died of heatstroke in vehicles.

In 2018 and 2019, we saw a record number of hot car deaths - 53 children died each year — the most in at least 25 years, according to NoHeatstroke.org.

ADHS - Extreme Weather & Public Health

Heat Safety - Heat-Related Illness

Arizona typically experiences long periods of high temperatures from May to September. Frequent triple-digit temperatures can increase a person's risk for a heat-related illness. Nearly 3,000 people visit Arizona emergency rooms because of heat-related illnesses annually. Some heat-related illnesses can even be fatal. More than 3,200 people have died from excessive exposure to heat from 2012 to 2022.

As a result, the Arizona Department of Health Services has developed a Heat Emergency Response Plan, a Heat Safety Resource Guide, and a bilingual Heat Brochure.

Heat Relief Networks are in place in Maricopa, Pima County and Yuma County. These heat relief networks provide maps of free air-conditioned spaces to get out of the heat, free water, and places to donate water.

To sign up for email alerts and information regarding extreme heat warnings, check out the instructions on our Extreme Weather and Public Health homepage.

AARP - How Extreme Heat Affects the Body After 50

Soaring temperatures can set off a cascade of life-threatening events. Here’s how to stay safe:

"It’s not your imagination: It really is hotter than when you were a kid. In fact, 2023 was the hottest year on record since 1850, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. And the nine years from 2014 to 2022 round out the top 10 warmest."

"Climate experts warn that bouts of extreme heat are going to become more common as global temperatures continue to rise. That’s bad news for the growing population of older adults, who are more likely to get sick from heat — even die from it."

"In 2023, soaring temps sent nearly 120,000 people in the U.S. to emergency rooms, a 2024 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows."

"Heat-related deaths have been increasing in recent years, with approximately 2,302 occurring in 2023, up from 1,722 in 2022, according to federal data, though other research suggests the number is much higher. A study published in 2020 in the journal Environmental Epidemiology finds an average of 5,608 deaths are attributable to heat each year. A study from a team of Duke University researchers estimates that 12,000 Americans die annually from heat-related causes."

"Regardless of the total tally, most people who die from the heat are over the age of 50, the National Institute on Aging says:"

“It has everything to do with our body’s ability to deal with heat as we age,” Aaron Bernstein, M.D., told AARP in 2022, when he was the interim director of the Center for Climate, Health and the Global Environment at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Bernstein is now the director of the National Center for Environmental Health and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry at the CDC. “People who are older, our bodies may not be able to dissipate heat as well as people who are younger. We also tend to have more chronic health problems and may take more medications that affect our body’s ability to deal with heat.”

Check out this June 2024 AARP article that highlights why extreme high has such a dramatic effect on people over 50 years of age.

Arizona Emergency Information Network (AzEIN)

The State of Arizona's official source for emergency updates, preparedness advice and hazards information, and related resources.

Use this site for comprehensive information regarding all forms of emergency and extreme weather conditions in the State of Arizona.

American Red Cross - Extreme Heat Preparedness Checklist

Extreme Heat Safety

"Learn how to stay safe during a heat wave and how to treat heat-related illness like heat exhaustion."

An extreme heat event is a series of hot days, much hotter than average for a particular time and place. Extreme heat is deadly and kills more people than any other weather event. Climate change is making extreme heat events more frequent, more severe, and last longer. But we can take action to prepare. Prepare now to protect yourself and your loved ones."

For more information check the website.

CR's Ultimate Heat Survival Guide

"Sweltering temperatures have become a worrisome part of summer's new normal. Here's what you need to know to stay comfortable and safe this season, wherever you are."

"We’re running out of ways to describe our summer weather. Last year was one for the record books: Phoenix endured 31 days in a row above 110° F. Miami’s heat index was over 100° F for 46 days straight. And even the Twin Cities of Minnesota had 33 days of 90° F (more than twice as many as average). Elsewhere on the globe, Sardinia, Italy, hit almost 119° F, while Japan recorded its hottest year in over 130 years. Overall, 2023 emerged as the hottest year on record, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which gave 2024 a 61 percent chance of surpassing that record.

Extremely hot weather isn’t just unpleasant, it’s a serious health risk. More than 1,200 people die from extreme heat every year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Last summer, we constantly saw heat- and air-quality-related issues, especially for those taking different medications for conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes,” says Rachel Marquez, MD, a family medicine physician with Kaiser Permanente in Virginia. “Heat-related illness—from the dizziness, nausea, and cramping of heat exhaustion to the slurred speech and weakness of heatstroke—can happen more easily at lower body temperatures for these individuals.”

This comprehensive June 2024 article from Consumer Reports provides a lot of insight on the impact of severe heat and how to prepare for it.

How to Keep Your Dog Cool in the Summer Heat

7 strategies to prevent your pet from overheating

"In some places this summer, going outside can feel like walking into an oven turned up to broil. And if humans feel that way as they venture out, furry pets feel it more."

This July 2022 article from AARP does strategies to help keep your pet cool in extreme summer heat.

"Dogs cool themselves by panting. But panting becomes inefficient in extreme heat, during physical exertion, when a dog is dehydrated, when there’s insufficient ventilation or due to a combination of those factors.​

​Within minutes, a dog can become overheated, which can lead to heat exhaustion, heatstroke, kidney failure, brain damage and even death, veterinarians say."

National Weather Service - Phoenix Heat Page

Most every statistic, record or fact that you might want to know regarding heat from the National Weather Service!

Heat is the #1 Weather-Related Killer in Arizona!

Heat Safety Tips:

. Drink water: Stay hydrated
. Dress for heat: Wear light-weight layers
. Use sunscreen: Use SPF 30 or greater
. "Look before you lock": Never leave children or pets in cars.
. Keep cool: Take breaks in shade or in areas with A/C

Hydration & Heat Relief in Pinal County - Summer 2024

"There are many locations throughout the County where you can cool off in the air conditioning or get water.

Click on a red pin below for location, hours of operation, and contact information for each site."

Check out this site for cooling station locations.

Also, remember to keep an eye on vulnerable family and friends. Should their HVAC system breakdown or fail to keep up with the heat they have an emergency situation. Find a way to move the affected person(s) to cool place and then call for a repair person.

If there is a need for financial assistance, try reaching out to home repair programs. CAHRA has a Minor Home Repair Program that might be of some assistance. For CAHRA programs, income limits will likely apply.

To reach CAHRA click on: Community Action Human Resources Agency (CAHRA) is a private, non-profit corporation providing for the identified needs of people and communities of Pinal County. CAHRA builds firm foundations in partnership with communities by stimulating family cohesiveness and self-reliance.

CR's Ultimate Heat Survival Guide

"With temperatures rising, we’ve gathered the best ways to stay comfortable and safe—both inside and out—even on scorching hot days."

A July 10th, 2023, survival guide from Consumer's Report. Check it out!

7 Ways to Stay Cool on the Cheap

Beat excessive heat without breaking the bank.

"For budget-conscious older adults, blasting the air conditioner all day and stocking up on an endless supply of bottled water may not be ideal, but there are other ways to stay cool without breaking the bank, including these seven."

A July 2023 article from AARP with some inexpensive options to stay cool in extreme heat.

Older Adult Toolkit: Extreme Heat - Stay Safe When Our State Heats Up

Heat Safety - Older Adult Toolkit

Heat illness is a preventable condition, but has been the number one weather-related cause of death in the United States. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), heat illness causes more deaths than hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes combined. From 2009 to 2019, over 2,000 deaths were caused from exposure to excessive natural heat. Of deaths among Arizona residents, 34 percent occurred in older adults over the age of 65. The Heat and Older Adults Safety Toolkit (HOAST) was created to provide older adults and caregivers information to stay safe in the heat.

An informative article from the Arizona Department of Health Services

Pet Heat Safety

Tips to Keep Your Pets Safe During Summer

The following tips are provided by The Humane Society of the United States:

. Never leave your pet in the car.

In nice weather you may be tempted to take your pet with you in the car while you travel or do errands. But during warm weather, the inside of your car can reach 120 degrees in a matter of minutes, even if you're parked in the shade. This can mean real trouble for your companion animals left in the car.

If you do happen to see a pet alone in a car during hot weather, alert the management of the store where the car is parked. If the owner does not return promptly, call local animal control or the police department immediately.

. Don't put your pet in the back of a truck.

It is very dangerous, and in some states illegal, to drive with a dog in the back of a pick-up truck. Not only can flying debris cause serious injury, but a dog may be unintentionally thrown into traffic if the driver suddenly hits the brakes, swerves or is hit by another car. Dogs should ride either in the cab (in a crate or wearing a seat belt harness designed for dogs) or in a secured crate in the bed of the truck.

. Watch out for fertilizers and deadly plants.

Plant food, fertilizer and insecticides can be fatal if your pet ingests them. In addition, more than 700 plants can produce physiologically active or toxic substances in sufficient amounts to cause harmful effects in animals.

. Provide plenty of fresh water.

To avoid pet heat exhaustion, make sure your pets have access to cool, fresh water all day long.

. Stay bite-free.

With people and dogs spending more time outside, dog bites are likely to increase in the warmer months. Spaying or neutering your dog reduces the likelihood that he will bite and provides many other health benefits.

. Keep your pets safe and healthy year-round.

Make sure your pet is always wearing a collar and identification tag. If you are separated from your pet, an ID tag may very well be his or her ticket home.

. Check with your veterinarian to see if your pets should be taking heartworm prevention medication.

Heartworm disease, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, can be fatal in both dogs and cats.

. Another warm weather threat is fleas and ticks.

Use only flea and tick treatments recommended by your veterinarian. Some over-the-counter flea and tick products can be toxic, even when used according to instructions.

CDC - Preventing Heat-Related Illness

KEY POINTS

• Protect yourself and others when it's hot outside by staying cool, staying hydrated, and staying informed.
• Learn additional tips for staying safe during extreme heat.

This CDC article published in January 2024 addresses how to stay cool, stay hydrated and stay informed about extreme heat.

Extreme Heat - Heat Related Illnesses

Heat Safety - Heat-Related Illness

Arizona typically experiences lengthy high temperatures during the summer months. Frequent triple digit temperatures which typically last from May to September can increase a person's risk for a heat-related illness. Nearly 3,000 people visit Arizona emergency rooms because of heat-related illnesses annually. Some heat-related illnesses can even be fatal. Over 2,000 people have died from excessive exposure to heat from 2011-2021.

As a result, the Arizona Department of Health Services has developed a Heat Emergency Response Plan, a Heat Safety Resource Guide, and a bilingual Heat Brochure.

This is another informative article from the Arizona Department of Health Services regarding heat related illness.

Keep Pets Safe in the Heat

How to keep animals cool when temperatures soar.

"The summer months can be uncomfortable—even dangerous—for pets and people. It's difficult enough simply to cope with rising temperatures, let alone thick humidity, but things really get tough in areas that are hit with the double blow of intense heat and storm-caused power outages, sometimes with tragic results.

We can help you keep your pets safe and cool this summer. Follow our tips for helping everyone in your family stay healthy while hot."

This article from the Humane Society of the United States provides excellent hot weather advice for the safety of your pets.

Low Income Energy Assistance Program

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program that helps low income households pay their heating/cooling bills, minimize crises, and make energy costs more affordable. The LIHEAP program is administered in accordance with federal regulations, the Arizona LIHEAP State Plan, and LIHEAP Policy.

You Can Help Prevent Hot Car Deaths

About 40 children a year die from heatstroke, either because they were left or became trapped in a car. That's about one child every 10 days killed in a hot car.

940+ CHILD HOT CAR DEATHS SINCE 1998!

Child Safety -

Hot car deaths is the leading causes of non-crash-related fatalities among children. Learn more about keeping children safe in and around a car.