Millions on alert as dangerous heat wave sweeps across US; Experts call it a silent killer

Updated on June 23, 2024 at 07:35 IST

At least six people have died from heat-related causes this year in Phoenix, where temperatures this week reached more than 46 degrees Celsius (115 degrees Fahrenheit). More than 126 million Americans are bracing for an intense heat wave to sweep across the country, according to health officials, even though experts are calling it a “silent killer.” Know ways to protect yourself from heat-related illness.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 126 million Americans are under heat-related alerts.

The United States is reeling from a scorching heat wave that is ravaging much of the central and eastern parts of the country, although experts are calling it a “silent killer.” More than 126 million Americans are under heat alerts, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as scorching heat is expected to reach record temperatures in some areas. News reports indicate that in some areas, humidity levels could push heat index values into the mid-hundreds.

“These temperatures remain the most abnormal and dangerous for early summer in parts of the Midwest and Ohio Valley, east to the Mid-Atlantic,” the services said national weather forecasts.

Health authorities across the country are asking people to be aware of the current weather situation and avoid overheating by staying indoors to avoid heat exhaustion, a potentially fatal illness. “Heat exhaustion is a reality, so we want our residents to be safe from extreme heat,” Thennie Freeman, director of the Washington, D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation, told CBS News .

Doctors recommend drinking plenty of water and fluids, wearing loose clothing, carrying hats and umbrellas, and staying under a fan to avoid getting heat-related illnesses, especially during peak hours .

In New York, health officials said heat-related emergency room visits this week were more than 500 percent higher than the daily average in June. In Idaho, authorities reported that the deaths of two people in their 60s were due to heat — the state’s first heat-related death of the year.

The United States last year experienced the most heat waves since 1936, experts say. Excessive heat has contributed to more than 2,300 deaths across the country — the highest in 45 years, according to an Associated Press analysis from the Centers for CDC.

Ways to Prevent Heat-Related Illness

Heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heatstroke can be deadly, experts say, but they are also preventable. Here are some tips to help you prevent heat-related illness:

Stay under the fan or in air-conditioned buildings, take a cool shower or bath. You can also keep your skin moist with a spray bottle or a damp sponge.

Drink plenty of water or fluids, especially if you are outdoors or exercising. However, be sure to avoid caffeine and alcohol, as they can easily dehydrate you.

Wear loose, light, light-colored clothing. You can also protect yourself from the sun with a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen with SPF-30 or higher.

Plan outdoor activities carefully

Plan to be outside only before noon or in the evening and be less active during the hottest part of the day, which is usually late afternoon.

If you feel tired, dizzy, nauseous, or have a headache, be sure to stay indoors and rest. If symptoms do not disappear within 30 to 60 minutes, seek medical attention immediately.